Our Partnerships Make Us Stronger

There is strength that comes with working collaboratively. It requires opening your mind and heart to different realities and possibilities. This requires comfort with uncertainty; in its essence, building partnerships is a creative process.

This is at the core of SongwritingWith:Soldiers. Our partnerships make the sum greater than its parts.

By working with the EOD Warrior Foundation and Boulder Crest Foundation, SongwritingWith:Soldiers is part of a broader network of organizations dedicated to supporting veterans. Together we we know that our partnership is making a real difference.

Working together through creativity to build connections has always been a fundamental strength of SW:S, and we saw an opportunity to leverage that strength by collaborating with these two amazing organizations. By working together, we have been able to leverage each other’s strengths and resources to create innovative solutions to support veterans. Sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

Matt Meuser started his journey with these partners as a Warrior PATHH participant at Boulder Crest. During each PATHH, a SW:S songwriter joins the group for two days and together they all write a song. Terry Radigan was Matt’s songwriter. He was later able to participate in an SW:S retreat and realized how helpful it would be for his wife Jess to also have some time to sit and process her experiences. So, then Jess attended an EOD Warrior spouse retreat where she coincidentally wrote with Terry. Tragically and very unexpectedly, within months of Jess’ retreat, she suddenly passed away. This left a hole for everyone who knew Jess and Matt.

The Meuser family had a tremendous impact on everyone involved with the three organizations. Thankfully, working together we were all able to come together for the family and share stories, videos, and of course songs.

Through our partnerships, we are part of a broader network of organizations dedicated to supporting veterans at different stages of their lives. Together, SW:S, the EOD Warrior Foundation, and the Boulder Crest Foundation work tirelessly to support veterans, and we know that our partnership is making a real difference. We are proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to continuing our collaboration for many years to come.

Dedicated to the strength of Jess and Matt Meuser and their family.

The Voice You Keep Inside

Jess Meuser / Terry Radigan

People tell me things
I don’t know why
Barely a whisper
But I can hear them screaming inside
I can hear them screaming inside

I may be a stranger
But I listen to those words
Cause I know it’s enough
Sometimes just to be heard
Just to be heard

But those voices echo in my mind
Sometimes sleep is so hard to find
I’m everybody’s rock
Pep rally band
But sometimes I crumble
Just like sand
Still, I take it all in
Even when my heart is breaking

I’m not that strong
I’m just here
In the moment
With my hurt, my doubt
And all my fears
All my doubt
And all my fears

But I’ll always listen
Should you walk my way
And maybe I’ll learn
To let you do the same me for me one day
I’ll let you do the same for me one day

Cause those voices echo in my mind
And sometimes sleep is so hard to find
I’m everybody’s rock
Pep rally band
But sometimes inside I crumble
Just like sand
Still I take it all in
Even when my heart is breaking

I hope they remember
That I might have done some good
This world can be so hard
We’re all so misunderstood
So misunderstood

And deep down
We’re not that far apart
I don’t need to know your name
To know your heart
To know your heart

And I’ll take it all in
Yes, I’ll take it all in
Even when my heart is breaking
Even when my heart is breaking

© 2021 SongwritingWith:Soldiers Music (ASCAP) / Catherine The Great (ASCAP)