Jason’s Story
Jason is a retired Master Corporal with the Canadian Military. He served 16 years and three tours of duty in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. He represented all three elements: Navy, Air Force, and Army. He is now a proud and distinguished Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and it is an Honour!
Jason is from a small outport on the Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador. His military career started at CFB Cornwallis, Nova Scotia in 1991.
“After returning from the desert, my life would change forever, I was a ‘stranger’. I was unable to focus. I suffered from prolonged anxiety. I was irritated, angry. I had NO JOY. The sleepless nights, the nightmares, flashbacks, ‘vivid memories’. I felt ALONE. I questioned my purpose for living. I became FEARFUL… no longer FEARLESS.”
In 2007, Jason was medically released after being diagnosed with PTSD. It was the most difficult time of his life. He felt broken, a constant struggle to stay alive and felt lost. As time passed, Jason found his way back to God and Jesus. He guided him to help, support and love back to his fellow soldiers, Brothers and Sisters in Arms! He found his purpose again. Jason says God has given him the strength to write and sing, to send a message “We will remember them”.
“I want to sing for the Veterans, songs they can relate to and really understand. Often those of us that suffer do it alone until the end”.
Lyrics
When asked the question
What would he say?
What was it like so far away?
I sat and listened
To what he said
Those few words
Got stuck in my head
I looked at him
He looked at me
That fit of rage
Only I could see
Stop your lying
It’s just not right
I bit my tongue
With all my might
But now I’m ready
To let you know
That I don’t forget
And I can’t let go
This ain’t no picnic
Don’t sugarcoat it
Cause I was there
And my gun was loaded
This ain’t no picnic
No doubt about it
Don’t lay your blanket down
Forget about it
Early mornings
Camel spiders
Viper snakes
And open fires
This ain’t no picnic
No doubt about it
Don’t lay your blanket down
Forget about it
M.S.E
Marines and rangers
Infantry
And lots of danger
This ain’t no picnic
Don’t sugarcoat it
Cause I was there
And my gun was loaded
A decade later
Numbers rising
Losing buddies
It’s not surprising
This ain’t no picnic
You failed to mention
Ramp Ceremonies
Stand At Attention