Powerful 'Stay Strong' CD Sends a Message of Hope and Support for Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan

Anthem Raises Awareness About Dramatic Rise in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

"Stay Strong" is a moving, forceful reminder to our servicemen and women that the nation respects and reveres them and will not forget them when they return home. The song is designed to raise awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to raise money to build a state-of-the-art PTSD treatment facility in Hawaii for returning combat vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Stay Strong" is co-written by Keith Crosby, a decorated combat veteran who served in Vietnam. The featured vocalist is Charles Cook, a vet who served on active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and toured at military bases as a member of "Tops in Blue," a traveling USAF entertainment group comprised of soldiers.

"Stay Strong's" powerful message comes at a time when there are mounting concerns that the incidence of traumatic brain injury is producing a high number of cases of PTSD. According to the latest Pentagon estimates, tens of thousands may develop debilitating long-term problems.

Stay Strong Postcard
Stay Strong postcard included
in CD package
The "Stay Strong" CD comes with a postcard that can be filled out and returned to the song's executive producers at StayStrongNation.org. They will distribute these messages of support to the soldiers, posting them in mess halls and other places where the troops congregate.

Keith Crosby, the song's co-writer and co-executive producer and a decorated vet who served active duty in Vietnam, continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress. He drew inspiration for the song from his own experiences and explains, "I understand what soldiers are going through and I believe they'll be able to really relate to the song's message. We want service members who have been in combat areas and their families to understand that the earlier they get whatever assistance they need, the better off they'll be."

Charles Cook, one of the song's lead vocalists, toured for 8 years in Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. His long career in the U.S. Air Force offered him the opportunity to audition for the "Tops in Blue," a traveling USAF entertainment group and he was invited to join the team in 2003. His tour began at the start of Military Operations "Enduring Freedom" (the war on Afghanistan) and "Iraqi Freedom" and took him into Baghdad, Kosovo, Bosnia and Cuba, delivering a message of hope and encouragement that he felt the soldiers so desperately needed.

"Stay Strong" was written by Crosby along with Michael Lietz (aka Mychael). It was produced, recorded and mixed by Rhako. L.A. Keith Crosby and Gresford Lewishall are the executive producers. The soundtrack also features vocalist Amber Riley.

In the fall of 2010 a brand new country version of the song was recorded in Nashville, TN. The song was produced by Gene Rabbai and features country music recording artist Jamie Buckley. Included at the end of this new country version is the Stay Strong Nation Military Prayer written by Gene Rabbai.