Essay On Music In The Vietnam War

Eternal Chords
During the Vietnam War, 58,220 soldiers died and never returned to the United States. At the same time, roughly 5,000 songs were written, meaning a song was composed for every 12 soldiers’ deaths. America's involvement in the Vietnam War lasted for eight years, during which music shaped culture. Music greatly influenced the Vietnam War by connecting with the soldiers and affecting the public perception of the War from every viewpoint.
Starting in 1955, the Vietnam War lasted for 20 years until 1975. In the meantime, there were many technological advancements that integrated into everyday life, such as the radio, which was much more common to play at military camps in Vietnam. Soldiers listened to more news and music while working,

The remarkably talented US Marines Band has played breathtaking songs to audiences for years. Songs about the military seem to be restricted to boosting confidence and having pride in America. However, this is a common misconception. Music of all types has proved to aid soldiers during and after seeing combat. The relationship between the US military and music began as early as the Civil War, with musicians playing for injured soldiers. This tradition continued for decades and is represented during the Vietnam War era. Many soldiers formed bands or sang together to make time at camps go by faster. Veterans remember moments of half a dozen marines in a bunker with a guitar, singing “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?,” a song written by the World War II veteran and pacifist Pete Seeger. Many men and women in uniform performed R&B, rap, contemporary, and more. Doug Bradley and Craig Werner were veterans themselves. They wrote about their experience in their book, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, published in 2015, which Wbur summarized, “They loved Hendrix and Nancy Sinatra, and especially songs that had anything to do with going home, because that was their main goal.” (Wbur). Music is also credited as therapy for soldiers with PTSD. It reduces stress and “Injured soldiers responded so positively amidst their physical and emotional trauma that veterans soon followed suit in receiving therapeutic music treatments” (Jernigan, Incadence). Music’s ability to connect and change an individual has an everlasting