On any given day, Patriot Point, tucked away in Madison, offers much-needed refuge for veterans still suffering the aftereffects of combat long after leaving the battlefield behind.

But one day last summer, after country artist Chad Bearden sang his song “Whiskey Anymore,” the response of the veterans listening inspired the idea behind filming a powerfully moving music video at the 294-acre waterfront retreat. 

Hugh Middleton, a former Navy Seal who has been the facility's vice president of operations since November 2020, had met Bearden while both were participating in a veterans event in Nashville.

Noticing Bearden's scheduled date to play a Severna Park venue, Middleton immediately reached out and invited him to move up his arrival time, and to visit Patriot Point first.

Bearden readily agreed and got to the area a day earlier than planned. Impressed by the facility's beautiful surroundings, he shared dinner with some of the veterans, followed by an impromptu concert.

He was particularly struck by how strongly the men responded to “Whiskey Anymore,” requesting an encore and later opening up about their harrowing service experiences and their painfully isolating aftermath. Hearing what they'd been through was an experience Bearden described as humbling and life-changing.

The song's lyrics, telling the story of a man's destructive losing battle with the bottle to cope with life after military service, resonated with the real-life sagas of several, including Middleton. He ended up starring in the video, which took five weeks to film, portraying a dad too drunk to drive his young daughter to school, then resolving to change.

Ten years earlier, he'd had a similarly devastating experience with his own daughter, except that in his case he had been too inebriated to take her to volleyball practice, Middleton recalled. 

Learning to work through the post-combat challenges he'd tried to drown by drinking led to a happy ending, reflected in today's healthy relationship with his daughter, which he described as "super close."

But he personally knows of many other veterans and law enforcement officers who could share similarly tragic stories.

Before embarking on a full-time music career, Bearden had himself served for 11 years as an officer with the Marshall County, Alabama, Sheriff's Department, starting straight out of high school, he noted.

But the idea for writing “Whiskey Anymore” flowed, not from his own life, but from a friend attending a songwriting camp a few years ago who had the idea and invited him to help. (While he enjoys performing, songwriting is a special passion.)

The song, penned by Bearden, Brian Karper and Jim Jonsin, was originally inspired during Covid-era challenges, but has applied to many others, he said.

A mutual friend of Bearden and Middleton, actor Max Mancini, became inspired to shoot the video to reflect the powerful impact of the Patriot Point performance; he wrote the script literally overnight.

Though initially expected to act as the video's main character, Mancini deferred, preferring to work behind the camera as director, and Middleton stepped into the starring role. But Patriot Point itself also plays a pivotal part, providing the backdrop for the introductory sequence featuring several veterans seated around the fire pit, sharing the painful burden behind the scars they bear, seen and unseen.

The flagpole marking the facility's entryway adds a poetic backdrop, paying homage to the patriotic service of its honored guests able to enjoy Dorchester County's scenic beauty and traditional sporting pursuits. 

Originally from Grasonville, Middleton was living in Virginia Beach when he was first introduced to Patriot Point with an invitation to take part in the county's annual Grand National Waterfowl Hunt a number of years ago. 

He returned periodically for hunting getaways, and eventually settled on a nearby Trappe farm. Closer proximity led to volunteering at Patriot Point, choosing to stay on-site overnight despite his easy commute.

Bearden's musical roots come directly from his farming family, who were always singing and making music, Bearden recalled fondly. "Living out in the country, without a lot of other things to do, that's what we did," he said. 

He's grateful that his grandmother, who helped his dad raise him, was able to view the “Whiskey Anymore” video the day before her recent passing. "’Sober’ and ‘Whiskey Anymore’ were her two absolute favorite songs of mine,” Bearden reflected.

Following the release of his latest song, “Just God,” this month, he'll return to the area to participate in festivities prior to the Military Bowl presented by Peroton at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis on Dec. 28, honoring medal of honor winners and others who have served.

The Military Bowl features a matchup between ACC and American Conference college football contenders in a game meant to raise funds and awareness for veterans, benefiting the USO as well as Patriot Point.

For more information visit:

patriotpoint.org/

chadbearden.com

youtu.be/AGch_9OccTw