I’ve always thought that the best way to support our troops is to make every effort to keep them out of harm’s way. That means avoiding unnecessary wars and engaging in combat only as a true last resort. In this vein, here are my Top Ten Veterans Day Songs paying tribute to those who serve.

The list is highly debatable, largely because songs about war and attendant suffering cut across all musical genres. Old-timers will rightly wonder about the omission of classics like “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?,“ “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Imagine” and “Give Peace A Chance.” Others will fairly say I’ve neglected an important sub-genre of vintage heavy metal antiwar anthems, exemplified by Metallica’s 1989 classic, “One,” while also giving short-shrift to the rich history of punk rock odes to war.

So, please use the comments field below to help create a new list of all the great songs I’ve missed.

Top Ten Veterans Day Songs

1) Bill Withers, I Can’t Write Left-Handed

2) Bob Dylan, Masters of War

3) Phil Ochs, I Ain’t Marching Anymore

4) Edwin Starr, War

5) Eric Bogle, The Green Fields of France

6) Freda Payne, Bring the Boys Home
 
 

7) Liam Clancy, Waltzing Matilda

8) Bob Marley, War/No More Trouble

9) Loretta Lynn, Dear Uncle Sam

10) Stiff Little Fingers, Tin Soldiers