Farmers: Who are you?
The farmer who performed a controversial song for the National Guard during Hurricane Katrina is facing an investigation from the Army after his performance.
Tom Stinson, a self-described “dance music junkie” who lives in Florida, released his “We Are Farmers” song on YouTube earlier this month.
The song included a chorus that was not a tribute to the soldiers who died in the storm, and the lyrics contained racist language.
The song was recorded on a portable recording device, which allowed the singer to cover his tracks while wearing the military uniform.
“I just don’t think it’s appropriate to be in the military and sing a song for veterans who have been through a lot,” Stinson told ABC News.
Stinson, who has also performed for other veterans, has been performing at military bases across the country, including Fort Benning, Georgia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
He also performed at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
“If I was singing for any other veterans out there, I’d be banned from the military,” he said.
The Army has not confirmed whether Stinson will be prosecuted.
“The Army will determine whether the song is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice,” said Army spokesman Lt.
Col. Christopher Hilliard.
“In this case, the conduct is not an issue of the conduct itself, but of the manner in which the conduct was performed.
It’s a violation that was done in a manner that was disrespectful to the deceased.”
Stinson said the song was intended to be a “gift” to veterans, and not a salute to the dead.
He said he was not trying to glorify war, but to help people “understand the magnitude of the war.”
The Army is investigating the incident and asked anyone with information to call Army Criminal Investigative Service at 1-800-852-1222.