TORONTO – After penning the patriotic ode “Highway of Heroes,” Bob Reid had the opportunity to travel to war-torn Kandahar and witness the efforts of Canadian soldiers first-hand.
The experience inspired him and only deepened his appreciation for the sacrifice of the Canadian troops. So as most of those men and women now prepare to return home with the Canadian war effort winding to a close, Reid wanted to do his part to ensure they were greeted with a hearty reception.
“(At) the end of the Second World War, there were ticker tape parades in the streets for returning soldiers,” Reid said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
“It’s a different world now and obviously this was a different kind of conflict. But still, I just thought it would be a shame if the mission ended, they came home after all of that sacrifice, and there wasn’t any kind of recognition.”
That’s what prompted Reid to write his new song, “Soldier, Welcome Home,” now available on iTunes and as a CD single. A portion of proceeds is being directed to the Wounded Warriors charity.
It was back in November 2009 when Reid released “Highway of Heroes.” The 47-year-old had long held an interest in music, but only as a hobby – he had never made a professional-calibre record before.
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He was stunned by the response to his humble tune, which lingered for months on the Nielsen SoundScan singles chart.
It also prompted an invitation to perform in Afghanistan for NATO forces – some of whom were already familiar with the track.
“They really appreciated the fact that someone would make a gesture like that, would put feelings of respect and pride and also sadness for fallen soldiers into a song,” said Reid, before emphatically pointing out that he’s far from the only songwriter to do so.
Of course, Reid was also deeply moved by the experience.
He was particularly impressed by witnessing the process of rebuilding Afghanistan. He saw Canadians building new schools, working to eradicate polio and rehabilitating the irrigation and water-supply systems so vital to the country’s agricultural development.
“It was just a life-changing experience,” Reid said.
“After seeing first-hand the work that the men and women were doing, I was really struck by that and so impressed by everyone that I met.”
Reid’s song is meant to honour the sacrifices made by Canadians overseas and celebrate their return.
“Though a half a world away, we were behind you every day/ And with grateful hearts, we’re so glad to say/ Soldier, welcome home,” Reid sings in the swaying song’s chorus.
Tuesday effectively marked the end of Canada’s war, as Canuck troops formally handed the battlefield over to American units.
And Reid, for one, was elated to see that happen.
“I’m so glad to see them coming out of harm’s way and knowing that they’re heading back home to Canada and back to their families again,” he said.
As far as Reid’s hopes for his song? Well, he has a day job as a communications consultant with Veritas Communications and doesn’t seem interested in pursuing a career in music (he says it’s unlikely he ever tries to put together a full album).
But he says “Soldier, Welcome Home” wasn’t about him. He simply wanted to offer a token of his gratitude to this country’s troops, and he hopes the song’s sentiment might sum up the feelings of other appreciative Canadians.
“As a songwriter, I thought: ‘Here’s something I can do. Here’s a little gesture I can offer that speaks for so many people who feel the same way I do,'” he said.
“And that’s just people who want to say: ‘Thank you. Job well done. You did us proud. And we’re just so thrilled to have you back.'”
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On the Net: http://www.soldiersongs.ca/
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