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  • a wonderful and emotional song.

  • This video sure brought this big man to his knees in prayer and also tears fall every time I watch it. I am proud of these two for what they did for me and the U.S.A. On top of that to have a love like that today is a God send and I thank God I have that. 34 years and counting for us. 1/14/12

  • A beautiful and moving song. A tribute to the greatest generation whose relentless courage and sacrifice have paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy and hold dear in this day!

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  • I met you guys in Warren, OH a few years ago as an officer of Warren Civic Music Ass'n. You were terrific that night but this song by Joe Bonsall brought tears to my eyes and a huge lump in my throat.

    The night you played for us, we were begging for a few extra minutes to start the show as we were totally sold out and had a new bus system in place. You, Joe, were so very kind and understanding!

    May God always bless you and your folks, G I Joe and Lillie!

  • God Bless you for recording this and sharing it with the world.

  • wow very powerful...the tears are falling... thank you for sharing this one...

  • Outstanding,,,,it gave me chills! Played it over and over. This song hit home since my father, a wounded Marine in Korea was born, worked and raised a family in Philly. Someone needs to put a CD together with songs like this and have the proceeds go to a Veteran's group! THANK YOU to anyone whoever wore the uniform...USA : Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

  • Thankyou for sharing a part of your family story. It has touched the hearts of many and I hope it will continue. This is what AMERICA needs to realize what a great country we have and the wonderful men and women who fight for it each and every day. God bless you and this United States of America. Thanks for the service of our great heros.

  • sure does make one reflect

  • Thank you for posting this and the timing is just great..right before Veterans Day..thank you again.

  • We can't praise our veterans past and present enough for the service they have given to our great nation...God Bless them and God Bless the USA!\

    auburn42ann@yahoo.com

  • Great song....need more like this.

  • 16 people disliked this? shame on every one of them.

  • this always mackes me cry, my bff sent it to me

  • this always mackes me cry

  • I just finished reading the book, G I Joe and Lillie, I had no idea until the end that it was Joe's parents! Heart warming book and well written, so much love in that family, and this song just touches the heart! My Dad was US Army, died 2001. God Bless our Veterans!

  • i got to hear this song for the first time today. it really touched my heart hearing it. i'm not an American, but i salute the American soldiers for all they did to make America free. thankyou Joe for sharing your story through song.

  • I cry everytime I hear this song. God bless G I Joe and Lillie and God bless America!!

  • This song Brings tears to my eyes every time i hear it.

    I even stand at attention and salute GI Joe

  • to any one who dislikes this song must not have a hart this is a beauty full Americana love song and if you don't like it you can go crawl in to a hole and live with your heartless self

  • Beautiful song and lyrics Thank u for posting this. Joe wrote and sang a beautiful song

  • Thank you, Joe, for sharing your story, and your family with us, love you, Man!!!

  • Joseph Bonsall was a New Hampshire native wasn't he?

  • @adamssean6494 no he grew up in philly around kensington and harrogate

  • @adamssean6494 no he grew up in philly around kensington and harrogate watch the video no matter how high its great they sang to their moms

  • how very unpatriotic to dislike this video, need a bus ticket, I am sure many veterans such as myself will help you!

  • Is this about real people? I don't know much about this song.

  • @Iamtheman4u2,

    Yes. At the very end, Joe Bonsall says, "An American love story, not unlike a lot of others. Except that G.I. Joe and Lily was **MY FATHER, AND MY MOTHER.** " -- so the people in the video are very real - Joe Bonsall, Sr. and his wife Lillie.

  • @knightryderrwn Thanks for the reply.

  • @Iamtheman4u2,

    No prob. :) Interesting trivia -- if you look at the tombstones at the very end of the vid, notice that Lillie, a Corporal, outranked Joe, Sr. (Private). Guess we know who was the boss in *THAT* house, don't we? XD

  • @knightryderrwn Yes, Lillie was the boss in *THAT* house. ;)

  • @Iamtheman4u2,

    Like Bill Cosby said (from "Himself") --

    "I'm not the boss of my house. I don't know *HOW* I lost it....I don't know *WHERE* I lost it; I don't think I ever had it. *BUT,* I've seen the boss' job....and *I DON'T WANT IT!!* (I just love that line). XD And, maybe that's what Joe Sr. thought, considering his wife outranked him. XD

  • My Dad was a WWII Battle Of Bulge Hero ..Brother Killed in Nam Hero,I was Viet Nam,Cold war,Dessert Storm Hero,Uncle, Korean POW Hero,two brothers VN Service,The Oaks Touched My Heart once Again !My Favorite Gospel Singers.Cow Boy Bill CW4 William Crissey,U.S.Army Air Force,Sp.Ops..DAV Retired

  • @onomatopoeia162003 EMI owns the rights…they are receiving the ad revenue from this video

  • Love G.I. Joe and Lily. I can't tell you how many times I have watched this. They don't play this type of music near enough,. Guess people like trashy ones instead

  • I've seen this before, but glad to see it comming around again...I like is very much.

    Tom

  • Thanks again to JimsVideos for posted this and for the over 2 million who have viewed GI Joe and Lillie..... we are honored beyond words....... God Bless our VETERANS and our TROOPS!!!

  • @JoeBonsall Thank's for This,Your Family,and All who Serve Our Great Country.

  • CHECK OUT FREEDOMS CRY BY PAT SEMINARIO, A GOOD SONG FOR THE OAKRIDGE BOYS TO RECORD. PAT SEMINARIO

  • 14 people are either retards our hate north america

  • good story and song!!!!!

  • God bless all soldiers...my family escaped the communists to come to America..to be free..in Vietnam, lost some good friends, including one I might have married one day..this is a wonderful tribute...thank you, all of you, in whatever uniform you wear, to keep peace in our country, town, city...policeman, fireman, everyone that dons a "vestage of peace-keeping" ..God bless you all, Juta Semmel

  • Joe, This is one of the best songs ever. My Dad fought in WWII, and Korea in the Navy. My daughter is in the Army, Nothing can ever show how much our (The USA) Military means to me....

  • Too beautiful for mere words. I listen to this once every day and it never fails to remind me of the price our country had paid for "freedom", and to see folks try to take it away from us.

  • I love this song every time I hear it I cry, I had relatives that served in WW2 and the Korean conflict, Vietnam all came home safely and I thank todays military personal and veterans for spreading freedom throughout the world.

  • I am not trying to rock the boat because the focus of the comments should be positive. But I can not comprehend how anyone could dislike this song. That actually really bothered me when I saw those dislikes. To each his own because remember men and women fought to give those individuals the right to dislike this song. :) Regardless. This is such a beautiful song. God bless our soldiers.

  • Captivating. I lost my mom 2 months ago, and the memories are the same as what Joe sings about.

  • Makes me want to cry!!!

  • This is about the second or third time now. I really don't know how anyone can watch this video and not get tears in their eyes.

  • @ed200634 The first time I heard this song it was at a concert. There was not a dry set of eyes there.

  • My Dad fought in World War II. He was drafted out of high school at the age of 17. He participated in some of the biggest battles of the war that were fought against Japan. He never talked about the things he saw or did, and took the horrors of the war to his grave. After seeing this video I cried like a baby. We now have countless G.I. Joes & Janes fighting and dying for our safety and freedom. Thank God for them. People that make the ultimate sacrifice for those they don't even know.

  • What a song!!! When I was younger, my stepfather wanted to watch Hew Haw and I wanted to watch Saturday Night Fever...now you can't pry me away from CMT and musice like this...GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

  • what a good song.and a good book to read.

  • Mr.Bonsall...I lost my father 2004 also a WWII 101 First Airborne Vet. Great tribute to your father and mother. A piece of us dies when we lose our parent(s).....God Bless you and your family.

  • go joe! we all know how tough it was for you to sing this... we love you and all the oaks, keep up the good work buddy GOD BLESS YOU ALL

  • I personally like this song and the true story that it tells of two of our veterans. If it weren't for those who went to war to keep us free we would not be free today! God Bless Our Vets from yesterday AND today!

  • Mr. Bonsall? I LOVE YOU!

    Mr. Mitchell

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  • god bless america!!!!

  • i love this song

  • Every time I hear this song I miss my own G. I. Joe so much, My DAD, a World War II Veteran.

  • Brings tears to my eyes each time I hear this. A wonderful group, and I am glad I

    had the opportunity to see them in person long ago at a venue that no longer exists.

    The XLCH Kid

  • Why is it that if you were in the military you are considered special or a hero? Sorry but I just don't buy it.

  • @debthebob

    That the reason mos of the world is behind the Iron country! You ungrafeful ingrate!

  • @docskn Sorry but I don't understand your comment. Are you just stupid or spelling challenged?

  • All I can say is WOW!!!  Brought tears to my eyes.

  • To all U.S. Military THANK YOU!! and God Bless. To the Oak Ridge Boys Thank you for writing this song this really hit's my soal. (FAN)

    God Bless America.

  • The first time I saw this video was 3 years ago on christmas eve. I was wrapping gifts for my family. The next day (Christmas Day), I told my mom about the song. The following year my mom died on Christmas Eve. Every time I here this song I think about her and that Christmas eve when I was wrapping gifts never thinking that that was going to be my Christmas with her. RIP Mom

  • The Oak Ridge Boys Will Never Be Forgotten by this Old Vietnam Veteran.

  • My parents love the Oak Ridge Boys, and I feel very lucky that they introduced me to this music, and took me to see them. My father is a Vietnam vet and I am so grateful for everything that every veteran has given us. God bless you, Joe, and your father and your mother.

  • I continue to be amazed at this response. God Bless our Veterans past and present and God Bless America!! There is ALWAYS a PRICE for FREEDOM! So many have paid that price!! Thanks for your your kind words and for sharing stories!!

  • I hear this song and think of what a wonderful tribute not only to your parents, but to all our veterans. Both of my parents were military, with my father being laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Thank you for this beautiful song, the courage to share it with us and you and your groups constant support of our troops and our veterans.

  • @JoeBonsall

    Mr Bonsall Thank you so much for this wounderful song, really hit's my soal God bless your group, and america.

    God Bless!!

  • I read this book to my dad every night right before he died, he was blind, bladder and pancreatic cancer, 3 strokes among other issues I was the only next of kin.... He got to see them in Green Bay when we lived there and anytime something came on about the korean conflict he would get so upset.... I miss him but am glad he is at peace now

  • debtthebob

    I am so glad that you werent in the military...we dont need people like you serviing.

  • Well I am Back Again, I watch this Video At Least Once Each Week. This Is The Best Song Ever Written. This Song Is From The Heart. I Will say So Long Until The Next Time. this Old Vietnam Veteran Is Still Fighting The Vietnam War.

  • Rufus702

    Viet nam flyer

    This is the best song i have heard in years and i cant stop playing it.

    Thanks

  • The Best there ever was.

    no one can top this

    God Bless You

  • This Old Vietnam Veteran Cries Everytime I hear This Beautiful song.I would Love to Go To Arlington And Salute your mother and dad. and I will if I ever get the money.

  • God bless all who have served and God bless all of those who are serving. Very touching.

  • I can identify with this because my hubby was in the Army together and we have been married for 50 yrs. Touched my heart.

  • GI Joe and Lillie raised a good kid. This old GI Joe would like to thank you from the bottom of his heart. Gog Bless you and yours.

  • What it's all about!

  • I always loved the Oak Ridge Boys. They are my favorite. Quite a song and display to watch.

    R. Faso

  • Remembering Joseph S. Bonsall Sr.

    He went to Heaven this day January 27th (2001)

    Buried with full military honors at Arlington National cemetery

    arlingtoncemetery (dot) net/jsbonsall

  • @jimsvideos I didn't know Joe and that is my loss. Thanks for the sacrifice.

  • Yeah Joe - honesty at it's best.

  • 3:20 to the end = a real tear jerker.

    This is now one of my favorite Oak Ridge Boys songs.

  • you all did a awesome job and when you listen to the song at the end it give you goose - bumps god be with us all and are women and men over seas in thise war my dad was in the air forse and he pass a way in 1974 and i was 3 i dont know my dad but he love helping out us all thank you oak ridge boys  come out with moor some day

  • RIP Joe and Lillie.

  • I am a retired Submarine torpedoman Chief and I Thank all the veterans, especially your Mom and Dad. Thank God we live in America!! Ian Tait

  • GOD BLESS, OUR TROOPS

    & ALL TRUE PATRIOTS!

    Past Present Future!

    DEO VINDICE!

  • what a great song joe you make me proud to be an american.i would also like to thank your father and mother for there service to this country,i know they are very proud of you for this song.

  • a great song from a great band,old vet even brought a tear my eyes I remember well my dad a ww2 vet having nightmares so can relate thanks again

  • My Dad was a retired Marine. He died December 17,2009. He and my Mom were married 52 years. She was by his side when he died. I cried watching this. I was not expecting the ending. R.I.P. Joe and Lillie. R.I.P. Dad. you'll be sorely missed.

  • @Lifesaver50 I lost my mom 2 months ago. My dad and her were married 57 years. I feel your pain. Time will heal us, then we will be reunited. Stay strong.

  • What a love story! This is definately one of the top Oak Ridgeboys songs ever!!! As a war veteran, I fully understand the "Old wounds" that come back to haunt us all. They are safely in the arms of our father now.

  • I've thought about it and there is nothing I can say; except, thank you, GI Joe and Lillie, so very much. There has to be a place in Heaven.

  • I was your neighbor on Jasper Street......always remember your Mom

    from her front door calling Joey...Joey.

    This song brought back many memories.

    Bless You and Your Family........

  • Thanks silkyTouch6 INDEED INDEED!!!! 3517 Jasper Street

  • across and down the corner 3534 Jasper

    my sister would run to the store for your mom.....when she couldn't find you to go...you would be hiding around the corner. Good memories!

  • God bless you for singing this.....definetely a tear jerker and it looks to me like they did a wonderful job!

  • This about the third time I have listened to this beautiful tribute. It chokes me up and makes tears roll but it also makes me happy that they had a son that loved them so much.

  • If that don't bring a tear to your eye nothing will. What a beautiful song, and what a tribute to his mother and father.

    Every time I play this song, I shed a tear.

  • Wow, what a story that an only be told by a son.

  • This Made tears in my eyes. My Dad was in the Navel C. B.'s in Saipan. Great Video and Thank You to our vets.

    Irv Ferguson , Post 54 S.A.L.

  • What a great way to honor your parents Joe! I can still see your Dad on the porch and your Mom cleaning the sidewalk an always saying hi to everyone that walked by. They were wonderful caring people and raised a wonderful son & daughter.

  • What a special song sung by a very special friend......

  • My God is so mighty he is holfding GI Joe and Lillie in his arms as they listen to these words being sang by their son. What a wonderfu tribute to your family and the many soldiers here and gone. Thank you

  • Wow! thank you joe. what a tearjerker, even for an old guy like me. that ending just tore me up. what a tribute to your folks. May God richly Bless you, your family, and all those past and present who have served to keep this great country free.

  • the words of this song touched my very soul...i can see my son singing this. i met my husband while we were both serving in the army and we have one son.

  • Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.

  • Thank you for sharing and God Bless your parents!

  • Great Video.  Wonderful story also

  • We lost my mother in law 11-3. Every time I hear this song, I think of mom saying she wanted to go home & be with dad again. He had also served. Well mom, you are once again together. You are with dad, my mom & brother & I know I will see you again when day. We love & miss you mom.

  • That is a great video!!! Thank you for doing this.

  • What an honor and respect he has shown to his parents.

     May God keep you and those you hold dear in His arms.

  • God what a beautiful songs written about his mom and dad.,God bless you Joe, God bless G I Joe @ Lillie and bless all our troops and mayGOD BLESS AMERICA

  • Not only has ((((((((((GOOGLE))))))))))) put their Ad's all over youtube, they have also closed the Statistics & Data to this video! Shame on them, wonder what their reason for that could possibly be????

  • Oakridge Boys leave me speechless...

  • This video was uploaded to honor GI Joe & Lillie & our military.

    I am NOT a part of youtubes partner program.

    All advertisement you see on this channel are embedded by Google.

  • Jim, you did a great thing. Thanks!!!!!

  • @jimsvideos u could be in the partner program. and send the troops some stuff with the money.. even though money can't buy everything.. but that's just my opinion.

  • @jimsvideos please let this video play

  • Thank you for putting this video together! I ordered the book a few years ago and have enjoyed it several times over. I still can't listen to this song without getting teary eyed. What a beautiful tribute Joseph Bonsall wrote for his parents! God bless all our men and women who serve our great country!

  • AMAZING!!! God Bless Both GI Joe and Lillie!!! God Bless the Oak Ridge Boys and their fine FAMILY ORIENTED CHRISTIAN MUSIC over the years... And God Bless America!!!

  • What a beautiful song and performance, one of the most moving tributes I've ever seen.

    I Salute Joe, his Parents and all my Brothers and Sisters in Arms.

    A Proud US Navy Veteran!

    Absolutely 5 *****s

  • I think of the grandfather I never met, he died over in Germany, WWII. I am very proud. I am also to be proud to be married to an active Army man. An Iraq war veteran. I am proud. You are my hero.

  • Thanks Joe, for putting into words and music a story that is so very true for so many of us. Lost my WWII vet / dad in 1994. Duane knew him; he was a Baptist preacher in Paris, TX. We are losing these great Americans at an alarming rate and we OWE them so much!!! God Bless them and the ones who are serving today.

  • I want to say more but my eyes are wet.

  • Jim, thank you for posting GI Joe and Lillie, it truly is an American Love Story, and captured the heart beat of our country! Thank God for them, and for their son Joe, who has honored them in song and in his book! As he said in the song, not unlike so many others....Most of their stories don't get told, but they are there, and have been there to keep our country FREE! Without them we would NOT be a free country...

    God bless you and all involved!

  • @MsSiggie My Father was a WWll Veteran, Married for 60 years. Mom and Dad are now resting in Calverton National Cemetary on Long Island NY.

    Remember the homeless veterans today/

  • NICE TRIBUTE. AWSOME

  • YES.... that's all I can say.... yes.

  • This video is the greatest. It brings tears every time I hear it. My dad was in the army. My 84 year old mother wants it on DVD for Christmas and if there is any way possible, she will have it...and the book!

  • I love this video. My father-in-law and grandfather both served in the South Pacific during WWII, my dad served between Korea and Viet Nam, my husband served in the Air Force in the late 70's, and my son is currently serving in the Navy and is deployed. My prayer is that he doesn't come home with the scars that so many of our servicemembers are coming home with, and that my sailor boy son finds his Lillie to grow old with and raise a family with.

  • This brought tears down my face.

    How many of all of us have had to lose our sons, brothers, nephews, cousins through all the wars that ever took place?

    The young men who lost their lives on the shores and fields of battle....the hearts they left behind, and the love that never ever diminishes through time.

    God bless all our troops and please bring them all home safe and sound.

    Someone once said, that long after war is gone, no one really remembers what it was all about.

  • Each time Joe sings this at a concert you can hear a pin drop. I cry everytime, thinking of my father who also served.

  • Great, if this doesn't bring out your emotions, nothing will!

  • I am crying like a baby right now. G-d Bless all who Serve and have Served this great nation. I was sent this by a dear friend and Masonic Brother. Thank you..

    Sincerely & Respectfully,

    Manny Blanco,PM

  • Beautiful! Just had to see it when you talked about it last night Joe!

  • The most emotional piece I have heard in many years. Thank you for sharing this about your wonderful parents. We continue to pray for all our troops and veterans.

  • My family and my husband's family consist of many veterans, some here, some not, and some who have died giving "the ultimate sacrifce" serving this great country of ours in Viet Nam and Afghanistan. Thank you for your beautiful parents. My husband is involved with escorting veterans home when they return from the war through his membership in the American Legion Riders. To see their faces when the motorcycles escort them home is a sight so emotionally filled with love and pride.

  • The last 15 seconds knocked me out Joe. Nice to see over a million hits...which is so deserved. Thank You Joe, Duane, William Lee and Richard.!

    From an old radio guy who misses you on the radio

  • It's just beautiful

  • Beautiful song

  • I just Loved this song, especially with the meaning behind it.

  • That was very cool, I did not cry or even get soft. War has made me a stone and my heart has no fire. But I think it was cool how his parents got together and are buried next to each other and he honored them.

  • Thanks for you service to America Ghost Dog... War is NOT pretty and has an everlasting effect for certain..... God Bless... YOU are in my prayers!!!

  • THANK YOU for this song, It has touched my life. I first heard it when you performed it on a Feed the Children Christmas Special. I served in the USAF. GOD Bless America and the ones who protect her with the ultimate sacrifice.

  • That is a wonderful song and tribute to your mother and father, Joe! It made me cry like so many others have said. God bless the Oak Ridge Boys (and your families)!

  • Joe, this is beautiful & made me cry. You are the greatest & still a god man :D

    It's so great that there are ways to see you guys via the internet & see that you are all doing well.

    Teri (Ellerbee) Rehkopf

  • Sweet and Loving and Patriotic TRIBUTE.

  • Even as a non-American, -this video was both educational and heart-warming. It is easy to see why you are all so patriotic and what a wonderful way to Honor your mother and father.. we have renamed a Highway here in honor our fallen soldiers, its called "Highway of Heroes" and every time one of our fallen is returned home, the Overpasses and Bridges are lined with tearful patriots who gather to honor them. GOD BLESS ALL your Soldiers and Families (and ours too)

  • AMEN

  • Absolutely beautiful. I cried. My dad was a proud WWII Vet and my husband was a three time Vietnam Vet. Dad died in 98 from cancer, my husband died in 96 from agent orange related illnesses. People like us know the price of freedom.

    God Bless You

  • This is simply the most beautiful tribute to his parents and the American Soldier...

    God Bless Our Soldiers

    God Bless the USA...

    Oceans, Debby

  • What a beautiful, poignant tribute to a loving couple, & all Veterans whoever you are, & wherever you come from THANK YOU for putting your precious lives on the line 24/7/365 to ensure we can all remain living in the Freedom we can all take for granted. God Bless each & every one of you, For all our Troops currently Serving, may He give you the strength to carry on, may His Angels watch over each & every one of you till you can come Home safe. THANK YOU. Keeping you all in our thoughts & prayers

  • when i got out of the marines the 1st time, my then contemporaries asked me if i felt like a sucker. second time i got out, most of them were dead or burned out from drugs and alcohol. i AM proud to have served. two times no less. thanks for the wonderful video. there ARE 'baby boomers' who did the 'military thing'. but they were a minority compared to the rest of their age group. kind of like nowadays. go figure. i stopped trying long ago. FT

  • This is the kind of thing we all need

    to see more often. Thank you Oak Ridge

    Boys...you are the real MEN of this

    industry!

  • Beautiful song! you'll need tissue!

  • A beautiful, moving tribute that brought tears to my eyes. These are the true heroes of our great nation. This is what America is all about. Thank you.

  • What a superb and heartfelt tribute to our soldiers who serve and who have served! Thank you, Oak Ridge boys, you have accomplished an appreciation for our servicemen and women that dwarfs the news releases we hear daily.

  • This is the most