Some of Country music's biggest names banded together in the stars and stripes for a new compilation CD out of Nashville, called "Patriotic Country."

The 17-track disc, released June 24, was "designed to help show your pride and respect for our troops," according to the back of the case. And as such, a portion of the proceeds will go to Our Military Kids, an organization that supports military families.

Contributed photo (ENLARGE)

But unlike what the title suggests, not all of the songs are about the bravery of a soldier or necessity of war — though they're there. Much of the album is about life and how "blessed" we are (especially Martina McBride). Like mixer editor Kelley Kirk-Swindell said, Lonestar's "My Front Porch Looking In" is included because, duh, "it's an American porch."

Producers did, however, include those tear-jerking soldier songs, like John Michael Montgomery's "Letters From Home" or the most heart breaking, "If I Don't Make It Back," by Tracy Lawrence.

Lawrence beautifully croons about a military man's last night out with the boys that will have most on the verge of sobs. And LeAnn Rimes' version of "God Bless America" is a reminder of why she's been in the business since she was 15.

But anti-war activists beware: Toby Keith may have been excluded from the disc but his spirit lives on in songs like, "The Fightin' Side of Me," where Merle Haggard and The Strangers warn, "I read about some squirrely guy/Who claims, he just don't believe in fightin'/An' I wonder just how long/The rest of us can count on bein' free./They love our milk an' honey/But they preach about some other way of livin'./When they're runnin' down my country, hoss,/They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me."

Gretchen Wilson takes a less threatening approach as she joins Haggard in "Politically Uncorrect": "I'm for the Bible and I'm for the flag/And I'm for the working man, me and ol' hag/I'm just one of many/Who can't get no respect/Politically uncorrect."

In the end, agree or disagree, "Patriotic Country" is a nice collection of some of the greatest talent coming out of Tennessee today, and an even better accessory for Country fans for that July 4 pig pickin'.

Contact Kristin Day at 329-9579 or kday@coxnc.com.