Fall in / Wounded soldier was nominated Video of the year by the LA Music Awards in 2008. And was released with 'REVEALED" aboard the USS Hornet during San Francisco's troop fest in California on Sept 30, 2006.

“Fall in / Wounded Soldier” was recorded at Sonoma Mountain Estate and is available on the ‘Revealed’ CD. Zabit records and CDbaby together donate $2 dollars for every CD sold to selected foundations that benefit wounded soldiers and their families. You can download the single song at iTunes or buy the CD from www.cdbaby.com/cd/dekker2 or from the STORE page here.  Click here for article.  ...or the acoustic live version can be found on the new LEKKER DEKKER live album (click here)

By total surprise, Mel was given a military medal of excellence, by General Natynczyk (the Chief of Defence Staff for Canada), for her song Fall in/Wounded Soldier. It is a treasured coin, that is only given to people who have made great contributions, show excellence in what they do, or put their life on the line in defense of Canada.

I wrote Fall in/Wounded Soldier a few weeks before performing a concert in the Hamptons (NY) in 2005 where there was a benefit for the Wounded Soldier Campaign. I was asked to ideally write something but told that singing something like “For what it’s worth” would be awesome as well. HA! How do you compete with that epic piece of music I thought! I don’t know what it is to be a soldier in war, though in life I certainly hope that we all do. The strength of the human spirit is something that puts me in awe in so many spine tingling moments and our strength and spirit to rise again once we have fallen is one that grabs me most.

I admire bravery, ones impeccable word, and love that can pour out like it has no end (because love is somehow never empty). Love with all your might.

Thank-you soldiers.

Afghanistan Christmas 2009

"They feel like heroes out there, and they're living under the most intense surroundings, including the hard sounds of bullets, bombs, helicopters, and inhaling the dust of the desert (Afghan scarves are worn by most & that in its self I found profound). Imagine living under conditions that forces you to be on high alert all the time! I am glad that I could pay tribute to them, and in one sad case also learn how to salute as I attended the departure/funeral of Lt. Andrew Nuttall shortly after my big Christmas day concert. I learned that they are there to make a difference, together, and I witnessed a tremendous bond between US and Canadian soldiers. I was extremely impacted about how grateful they were to hear me and to have me come to them in a war zone...I'm not sure I put it all together before I left because I had no visions or expectations... sometimes nothing can feel like it makes sense and at the very same time that is when everything does. I have been chanting 'Be Grateful' ever since I got home."