I’ve really wanted to share some of the background of the Big and Rich video, The 8th of November, which I posted a while back. I found a video on ITunes, but could not figure out how to convert it to something that I could post.
Finally, at last, I found a link to the video documentary. It’s called The 8th of November – A True Story of Pain and Honor. You’ll have to scroll down the page a bit to find it, but once you do, it plays perfectly. I also found an article that details a bit of it.
Big and Rich talk about inspiration behind their ‘8th of November’
Arts & Entertainment | MusicBy RONNA RUBIN
Country duo Big & Rich (Kenny Alphin and John Rich) have never neatly fit into any one category or classification. Larger than life, the two came on the scene with the colorful “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy,” and have never looked back.Their latest single, “The 8th of November,” is based on a story so significant that it could not be told in a standard 3-1/2-minute song and video. The track from their “Comin’ To Your City” album has been made into an hourlong documentary that will debut on GAC on Saturday, July 1, at 9 p.m. EDT.
The inspiration for “The 8th of November” is Niles Harris, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient who survived a battle that took place on Hill 65 in War Zone D on Nov. 8, 1965. Forty-eight of Harris’ comrades in the Army’s 173rd Airborne were killed and hundreds wounded in a battle that found them outnumbered 30 to 1.
In 1965, Alphin was a 1-year-old and Rich was not yet born, but a chance meeting with Harris in a Deadwood, S.D., bar created what has become a lasting friendship. In 2002 _ before they had a record deal _ Alphin and Rich played at a saloon in Deadwood where Harris tended bar.
Moved by Harris’ tale of life as a 19-year-old Army private shot down in jungle fire, the duo wrote “The 8th of November.”
“The difference between writing this song and writing other songs is that normally Kenny and I would sit right down, have a couple of beers and write a song,” Rich says in the documentary.
“But in this case, it was so important to us that we just wanted to make sure it was right,” Alphin adds. “It’s the pinnacle of all we’ve written so far.”
In 2005, the duo asked Harris if he would be interested in revisiting Vietnam for the first time since his last tour. With a documentary crew of Americans and Vietnamese in tow, the group traveled 34 hours to the exact site of the Hill 65 battle. The boots Harris was wearing the day of the battle were buried at that site in a crater made by a B-52 bomb.
“Niles Harris’ story sheds light on the realities of one individual in the center of a war,” the duo said about the inspiration for their documentary. “There are thousands more out there just like his and we wish to honor all of our military personnel who have represented our country with courage and bravery.”
Again, the link to the documentary is here…and if you know how to capture the video to where I could post it, please let me know.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ll read it soon; I’ve been a crybaby for a few days now and I’m sure this one will push me over the edge.
I am in the Air Force, currently serving in northern Iraq. I love the music of Big and Rich, and every time I hear this song it brings me to tears. I may moan and complain about the situation I am in, being stationed over here for 6 months in a relatively “safe” place, but when I think about the sacrifices that tens of thousands of others have made, it really puts what I am going through into perspective.
I was station in SD for 9 years, and my wife is from there. Next time we are up that way, I will be tracking down and buying Niles Harris a drink to thank him for his sacrifices.
And for anyone that reads this, you may not agree with the “War on Terror”, or particularly our reasons for being in Iraq, but regardless of your alignment, all I can ask is that you support the troops. There is so much that they (we) sacrifice on a daily basis that most citizens don’t realize…the least you can give is your support when we come home. Thanks!
just stopping thru i have been active duty us navy for eight years and i want to let everyone know though we may not agree with this war we need to support the young men and women american men and women fighting for someone elses freedom even if they dont want it or understand we answered the call of duty so all of you civilians and others could be free we don’t ask you to go to war we just beg for your support and want you to understand at times it is them or us thanks for all your support and caring
This song touches my heart and makes me cry everytime I hear it. Being almost 50 and having had many friends from our old neighborhood go to war in VietNam some never to return and some to return never able to talk about what happened it gives some perspective to those of us who were safe at home. I could never understand how the American people could be so calious to the returning Vets. They did not ask to be there they were doing a job to keep us safe. Now here we are so many years later involved in a war that has so many questions associated with it. I hope that we have learned that our men and women who are fighting are doing a job. They don’t want to risk their lives and be away from their families but they believe in our country and want to keep us safe and free. We owe them all a debt of gratitude. I am proud to say that my sons served their country by joining the military. But I am also proud of the sons and daughters of every family who has a child in danger fighting for our freedom.Â
I had not heard this song or watched the video until today, November 8th, 41 years after the event.
My 14 year old son greated me at the door with “Hey DAD, You need to watch this video.”
He had a look of concern on his face as the tears rolled down mine.
I don’t know how to tell him that my tears were for him.
What a truly moving piece of music and story.
Hi folks! My uncle was one of the 48 that perished on that fateful day of November 40 yrs ago. I had heard family stories of the day but because of the pain caused by the public at home on his arrival back in the states (in a body bag) they really didn’t say much. I would love to hear more about this day and the many heroes of this battle.
Any one have any?
The song touches my heart. I had never heard the song until I attended a VVA Meeting in August. Our Chapter President mentioned that the song The 8th od November was played at the VVA National Convention in July. After hearing more and more about it started reading all about it on the internet. It makes me feel even more proud that I served in Vietnam. It also makes you feel proud about all our Men & Women that are serving in Harms Way now. God Bless and God Bless America.
If you want to know more about the 1965 battles in the Ia Drang Valley read the book, “We Were Soldiers…Once and Young” written by Col. Hal Moore and Joe Galloway and then follow that up with the movie of that book “We Were Soldiers”. I’m 65. My husband is a Vietnam Vet stationed there in 67-68. It was a tough time when few understood the pain, and it’s about time our Vietnam vets got some honor and respect for their immense sacrifice.
I am a realtively young history teacher who is the grandchild of a W.W.II. Veteran. I was looking for the lyrics to the song so that I could read them to my 8th grade American History class. I support everyone who has every served or is serving now. I feel sometimes that my students in particular are so desenstized to war that even though we are in one or when I am teaching about one that don;t truley get it. Songs like this one give students some common ground.
If anyone can tell me how to get a copy of the documentary video of this song (50 minutes or so), given out in Pierre last summer it would be greatly appreciated.
605-360-8448
Thank you for a most touching message. Remerberance and homage is wonderous gift….i appreciate this very much.
Dan
USMC
64-71
RVN “K” 4/11 155’s
I served with niles in germany from 78-80, he was our MP Plt sgt. He never told the story of his time in Nam but now I understand why he was such a tough and hard man to serve under and to please with our performance. I haven’t talked to or seen him since may of 1993 when he visited me in Indianapolis. If he reads this or if anyone know his email address I would love to have it. He played a great part in the lives of many people who served under him and made myself and them better