"Thank a Soldier," a patriotic song written and recorded by Santa Clarita performing songwriter Trish Lester, now plays on the home page at www.RedShirtFridays.org.

The organization encourages Americans to wear red each Friday as a show of support for U.S. troops, and Lester's song reminds listeners that we owe our rights and freedoms to the men and women who defend them.

Working with Blue Star Mothers and Prayer Angels for the Military, Lester has donated dozens of CDs and music gift cards to U.S. troops serving abroad.

"Thank a Soldier" is included on her Americana music CD titled "Plymouth Belvedere," released last year. Lester's style has been likened to John Denver, Joni Mitchell and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Lester will also share the song live at three upcoming patriotic events:

* - A commemoration of Armed Forces Day at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the downtown Newhall Veterans Plaza.

* - A special event at Sam's Club in Santa Clarita, 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23, acknowledging Newhall Coffee Roasting Company for donating thousands of pounds of coffee to Operation Gratitude for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

* - The third annual SCV Memorial Garden Tour on June 8. For more information, visit www.memorialgardentour.com.

"I was inspired to write 'Thank a Soldier' after hearing a famous poem, 'It Is the Soldier,' by U.S. Army veteran Charles M. Province," Lester said. "Over the years, much of American folk music has had an anti-war focus, without the acknowledgement that freedom has a price."

Music and lyrics to "Thank a Soldier" are posted at www.TrishLester.com, and the song is available for download at iTunes, DiscRevolt.com and other digital media sources.

Lester's full CD is for sale at www.CDBaby.com/TrishLester.