Jon Bon Jovi isn’t just a famous musician, he’s well-known for being a kind-hearted philanthropist as well. Recently, he combined these two passions through a new song called, “Unbroken,” which honors our country’s veterans.
The track shines a light on the very serious issue of veterans returning home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But it also contains a positive message of “hope.”
“Unbroken” was written by Bon Jovi to be used for the new documentary, To Be of Service. The film also covers the topic of veterans living with PTSD – in addition to their service animals who help them through it all.
Since Bon Jovi was never part of the military himself, he knew writing “Unbroken” (which is from the perspective of a veteran) wouldn’t be an easy task. For the musician, “honesty” was his main goal.
In an interview with CBS This Morning, he explained:
“You have to be honest if you’re going to take on this task, and be truthful in its delivery, so that men and women who did serve will feel a pride when they hear this song.”
All of the money “Unbroken” earns for the next year will be donated to the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation. The group provides veterans no-cost service dogs to help them cope with the side-effects of PTSD.
On the foundation’s website they explain:
“Each day, in the world’s greatest nation, 22 of our heroes will take their own lives. The Patriotic Service Dog Foundation’s goal is to reduce that statistic from “22 to Zero”.”
Bon Jovi’s song “Unbroken” contains powerful lyrics that hit upon the topic.
In the video he sings:
“It’s eighteen months now, I’ve been stateside
With this medal on my chest
But there are things I can’t remember
And there are things I won’t forget
I lie awake at night
With dreams that devils shouldn’t see
I wanna scream, but I can’t breathe
And Christ, I’m sweatin’ through these sheets
Where’s my brothers? Where’s my country?
Where’s my how things used to be?”
The end of the song takes a positive turn, however. His lyrics are as follows…
“Someday you’ll ask me was it worth it
To be of service in the end
Well the blessing and the curse is yeah,
I’d do it all again”
Bon Jovi told CBS This Morning:
“I was trying to find hope at the end of the journey here. And to think that each of these men and women said the one thing is, that I would do it all again, when you’re making a record, usually you end it with the chorus. In this case, it was such a powerful line that while we were recording it, we said, no, this is the end of the song. The journey ends here, with the positivity.”
While Bon Jovi hasn’t been a military service member, he does have a history with family and friends who were.
“My mom and dad met in the Marine Corps, which I think is pretty neat. My mom was a Marine, and she wasn’t afraid of boot camp.”
He continued:
“Service was always important; my parents taught us that. And although I didn’t serve, my three best buddies — there were four of us in high school — we all got the call. I had a belief that I was going to be doing what I do; the other three guys joined the Navy. That’s where we come from.”
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is also taking part in helping vets without homes. Just recently, they paired up with Help USA to support the Walter Reed Veterans Apartments – which are dozens of units made affordable for vets in need. In addition, other helpful services are provided as well.
You can watch Jon Bon Jovi’s moving new video for “Unbroken” below!
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