Letters to the President by Out From Reverse (Various Artists)

We are yours. -Wulfy Sergeant Wulf, Michael J. United States Marine Corps. Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) Operation Enduring Freedom (2004) Home (2007)

From TBP--member of Deep Sky Traveler-- (Face Forward)

"When I laid down the original track, I knew the song was going to be emotional... almost epic. On the one hand, Bill and Mark always sweeten up the material I compose and they take it to another level. But then the real heart of the song was born with this respect and encouragement for the troops, and the track took on a new life. It's getting to a point where most of us know someone who's involved in the war. I think this song takes a look at some of the emotional energy that we feel, positive and negative. From day one, I envisioned some sort of inspirational message being attached to this song; I think the end result goes above and beyond what I expected. You've got to face forward in spite of the world around you, look to the future and see the possibility of a new day."

--The Blackwater Project

From Bill Thomas of Deep Sky Traveler (Face Forward):

On behalf of Deep Sky Traveler, I also would like to express our appreciation to all involved in this project. We are extremely honored to be involved in such a labor of love, brotherhood, and good will. My friends, can you feel the power of this creative endeavor? That a group of unknown musicians scattered across the globe have now been empowered to produce and publish a cd of this calibre and magnitude, not for monetary gain, but to help improve the lives of others, is nothing short of amazing. And with that comes an increased sense of brotherhood and connection with each of you as fellow artists and friends.

From Kimberly Streible (Shimmer & Soldiers Words)

This project meant a great deal to me. I felt compelled to be a part of something bigger than myself. "Shimmer" is a song written from the point of view of a mother having just lost a child in the war. It was such an emotional undertaking for me to write and perform the song, that experience will never leave me. It is something that no one will fully understand unless they have endured it,which luckily I have not, but I felt it was an important part and consequence of "war" and wanted to explore it. It overwhelmed me, the performance part of it, anyway. These are subjects that bring so many emotions to the surface. I am extremely proud to be part of this project and feel passionate about its meaning and intent.

From C.SFuqua (Devil Disguised & We Used to Sing My Country 'Tis of Thee):

I am astounded by the level of talent and power and emotion on Out From Reverse. It is a huge honor for me to be a part of this project...a powerful and moving compilation of songs that are simply spectacular. It's a project designed for all the right reasons, to help those most affected by a war that should never have been waged.

In the run up to the invasion of Iraq, domestic mainstream media were pounding the drum in support of the administration, but international news media were exploring the Bush administration's claims against Iraq more thoroughly, especially newspapers in Britain, Japan, Australia, and France. Back in America, we derided those countries who dared to disagree to disagree with administration claims (remember "freedom fries"?). As a nation, we craved revenge, and we trusted those in command to lead this country properly. The rhetoric and momentum were overwhelming, touching something primal in a majority of Americans. As the build-up gave way to inevitability, I wrote "Devil Disguised," a song that explores how seemingly good intentions are used to mask an ancient evil that resides in everyone.

Then came the war, and I became aware of two sisters who had joined the U.S. Army and were both stationed in Iraq. One died while on patrol. The other survived to return home and become an anti-war advocate. I have a teenage daughter, and I imagined how the father of those daughters must have felt, having lost a daughter because a president and administration, whom an entire nation had trusted, had lied the nation into war. At the same time, a photo of an old man loading the broken, bloody body of a young Iraqi girl onto a truck bed of bodies appeared internationally, and the reality of the evil of this war and the shame this administration has brought upon this country was driven deeply home. "We Used to Sing 'My Country 'Tis of Thee'" explores how people with good intentions are sometimes fooled into war by less than noble elected leaders.

From Anthony Dluzak Jr. (Drafted):

(On his song "Drafted") This song was originally written and conceived in 92-93. Back when Desert Storm had launched they were threatening to reenact the draft. This scared me and some friends of mine, and got me thinking about war and what it all meant ---- and how it must feel to the families who have their sons and daughters taken from them. I put in another verse, written for our modern time and a new chorus at the end. Its a protest song on the current state of our country and how the government deceives us and manipulates us like sheep, herding us wherever they want us to go. This is also a song about missing your friends and about loss and about anger...I am very honored to be involved with this project (Out from Reverse).

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