At the 2026 Freedom Sings USA Veterans’ Songwriting Retreat in Heyworth, Marine Corps veteran Sean Tibbs partnered with Nashville songwriter Bobby Tomberlin to transform his military experiences into an original song. Their collaboration, “The Ones That Call Him Dad,” explored the lasting impact of service while emphasizing family, healing and finding purpose after returning home.
Photo: Alan Look Photography
by Alan LookBest Look Magazine
There is an old saying that music heals the parts of the soul that medicine cannot reach. Yesterday, at the 2026 Freedom Sings USA Veterans’ Songwriting Retreat in Heyworth, Illinois, that truth was on full display as local Marine Corps veteran Sean Tibbs of El Paso paired up with hit Nashville songwriter Bobby Tomberlin to turn a heavy military journey into a powerful piece of musical art.
Photo: Alan Look Photography
Photo: Alan Look Photography
Together, the duo penned a deeply moving track titled The Ones That Call Him Dad. The song doesn't shy away from the stark realities of war, touching on the shift in perspective that combat brings—how it "takes away the old control" and leaves permanent, quiet scars. Yet, the heart of the track centers on the anchors waiting at home. The emotional anchor of the chorus highlights that while the bonds of military brotherhood are unbreakable, the ultimate healing and purpose come from the family that welcomes a soldier back. As the final lines of the song echo, the deepest love and truest peace are found with The Ones That Call Him Dad. The collaborative session concluded with Tomberlin presenting Tibbs with a beautifully framed print of the song's lyrics, commemorating a day where heavy memories were transformed into a legacy of healing, strength, and song.
