An award-winning country music artist is releasing a powerful song about loss, service and the battles many veterans face long after coming home.
Matt Rogers lends his voice to "Camouflage," a deeply personal track written in memory of his close friend, Marine and Army Ranger Sgt. Maj James Cory Moore, who died by suicide on May 30, 2024.
“I wanted to honor a friend, a husband, a father—and bring more awareness to just how out of control the epidemic of veteran suicide is,” Rogers explained. “Twenty-two a day is the number given by the VA, likely higher. There’s obviously something that has to change. Veterans sacrifice so much for our country. The least we could do is make sure they’re not alone.”
Since the Global War on Terror began more than 20 years ago, more than 7,800 American service members have been killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Those are the people who paid the ultimate price,” Rogers said. “At the same time, 120,000 plus veterans committed suicide.”
"Camouflage" was co-written by Army veteran and guitarist Nick Reed. The track is the emotional centerpiece of Rogers’ upcoming acoustic EP "Stripped," due out in July.
“Veteran suicide has always been a problem, and it is still a problem. War takes a lot out of a person,” said Reed. “You need a strong support system to get back home emotionally. Let's give them that support system and an opportunity to stay in the fight of life.”
"Camouflage" is more than a tribute to Moore’s life and legacy. All proceeds from the song will go to Brother’s Keeper Veteran Foundation, a nonprofit working to prevent veteran suicide and support families through transitional services, peer support, and mental health care.
On May 31 - a year and a day after Moore’s death - Rogers will take to the stage of Blake Shelton’s iconic honky tonk Ole Red in Nashville, Tennessee during a concert for Brother’s Keeper Veteran Foundation. Money raised from the streams of Camouflage and onsite at the event will be donated to the nonprofit.
Camouflage is available for streaming here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.