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Wounded Army combat veteran and singer-songwriter Scotty Hasting performs before thousands of Legion members in Tampa.  

I’m the freedom in the song we’re singing

I’m the seed that’s in the dust

I’m the prayer in God we trust

The place to dream for all of us

I’m America

“That song, ‘I’m America,’ every line of that song is the reason why I joined the United States Army for this country,” Scotty Hasting shared as he sang it before thousands of Legionnaires as the emcee for the opening general session of the 106^th National Convention in the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla.

Hasting, a decorated Army combat veteran of the 1^st Infantry Division, 4^th Squadron, 4^th Cavalry, was shot 10 times – in the shoulder, hip and thigh – on April 21, 2011, in Kandahar province in Afghanistan. 

“I have a bunch of pieces of me missing, but we’re still here,” he said. “And sometimes I ask ‘Why me? Why am I here?’”

That’s when he sees the signs from the people he served alongside with, and his best friend Adam Hamilton, who was killed in Afghanistan. “He’s on stage with me every day when I’m trying to help. Ever since I decided to do this music thing, I’ve always just wanted to help people.”

Following a long recovery, Hasting first picked up a guitar in 2020, got a record deal and released his first song “How Do You Choose?” in 2023, and many other since that include “I’m America” and “Till the Last Shots Fired.” He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and during military commemorations in Normandy, France. 

He has no feeling in his right hand from nerve damage, “so me playing the guitar should technically be impossible,” he said. “But I do it. So if there’s one thing you take from me being over there, playing music, and me standing here today, I’m sure all of you know this is that impossible doesn’t exist.”

Hasting was a recent special guest on 51�Թ� Tango Alpha Lima podcast, where he spoke on his first deployment, performing, a new track, advice to fellow veterans and more. 

Before closing, Hasting shared that he was appreciative to be at the Legion’s national convention, where he also performed the national anthem and encouraged the entre American Legion delegation to perform with him. 

“I am beyond honored to be here,” Hasting said. “Thank you to again to 51�Թ� and you all for having me. It means the absolute world to be surrounded by my brothers and sisters up here.”