Neil Eayrs, US Air Force
STAY STRONG
3-2-2026
USAF Veteran Neil Eayrs, Don Goodman, Steve Dean
Marion Writer: Adam Fager
Marion, Illinois
Joined the Air Force in my twentieth year
With my wife and child who I hold so dear
We never served anywhere for too long
Just one more duty station we called home
From a farm in Minnesota to landing planes in South Dakota
Learning to survive was the story of our life
CHORUS
Another goodbye, another lonely road
That’s the military life, learnin’ as we go
When we fight for right against the wrong
Be humble. Be kind. Stay strong.
Called to war in my forty-ninth year
First time in my life I brought my family tears
Flew into Bagram in the dark of night
Drove the Afghan roads in the broad daylight
Seven thousand miles from home, never felt so all alone
Learning to survive was the story of our life
CHORUS
Another goodbye, another lonely road
That’s the military life, learnin’ as we go
When we fight for right against the wrong
Be humble. Be kind. Stay strong.
Concrete floors on those Bagdad nights
Dreamin’ of home, my children and my wife
The road to Damascus, with my good friend Joe
Faith in a foreign driver we don’t even know
Dodging landmines, fear burnin' through the night
Learning to survive was the story of our life
CHORUS
Another goodbye, another lonely road
That’s the military life, learnin’ as we go
When we fight for right against the wrong
Be humble. Be kind. Stay strong.
Befriended strangers in foreign lands
Saw children weeping with empty hands
With my eyes I watch them cope
In their eyes I still see their hope
On Roberts Ridge, we lost John and Jason
Two brothers gone, forever taken
I think each day of the sacrifices made
Three tours of duty, the price we paid
CHORUS
Another goodbye, another lonely road
That’s the military life, learnin’ as we go
When we fight for right against the wrong
Be humble. Be kind. Stay strong.
Be humble. Be kind. Stay strong.