Inspirational · 2026
Story of My First Song
“Story of My First Song” (2026) is an original inspirational song written and recorded by John Schembari, a Vietnam War veteran of the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division, patriotic songwriter, and author. The story behind the very first song John ever wrote: where the music, and the dream, began.
Inspirational · 2026
The Story Behind the Song
What This Song Honors
Every songwriter has a first song. This one looks back at the beginning: the moment a Vietnam veteran and lifelong dreamer first turned his story into music. It's a song about starting: about the courage it takes to put your truth into words and melody, and to believe the dream is worth chasing.
- The American Dream
- Beginnings
- Songwriting
- Gratitude
From John's Writing
What the American Dream Means to Me
ReflectionJune 12, 20263 min read
It was never about the house at the end of the road. It was about the freedom to walk the road at all.
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