Blaine Chiropractor James Pietrek Releases 9/11-Inspired Song to Support Veterans Memorial Park K-9 Statue

“Eagleyez” is being re-released on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, with 100% of proceeds from benefiting planned Soldier monument

BLAINE, MN, UNITED STATES, September 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- More than two decades after recording a song inspired by the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Blaine chiropractor and 1998 Blaine High School graduate James Pietrek is releasing “Eagleyez,” a patriotic song reflecting on America, military service, resilience and the nation's response to adversity.

The release comes during a particularly symbolic year: the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The song, originally recorded by Pietrek and two of his high school friends in 2001, has recently been remixed and is now available through 25911250.com.

Pietrek has also committed to donating 100% of proceeds from performances and online sales of “Eagleyez” to Veterans Memorial Park in Blaine until the planned installation of a K-9 and Soldier statue.

In the more than 20 years he has worked as a chiropractor, Pietrek estimates that he has treated thousands of patients. One patient, however, remains particularly memorable.

On February 7, 2005, a Marine named Frederick came into Pietrek's chiropractic office in California, located across the street from the San Diego Marine Corps Air Station, experiencing acute lower back pain.

According to Pietrek, Frederick wanted to explore an alternative to pursuing treatment through military insurance and sought chiropractic care instead.
“Frederick told me he didn't want to go the military insurance route,” Pietrek recalled. “So, he came to see me.”

After receiving chiropractic care, Frederick later contacted the office to cancel his remaining appointments. Pietrek said Frederick had subsequently been able to pass a medical examination and deploy with his unit to Iraq.

Approximately a year and a half later, Frederick returned to Pietrek's office.

“He said, ‘If it wasn't for your care, I wouldn't have been able to deploy. Here's a copy of a poem I wrote and the flag I flew for you in Iraq,’” Pietrek said.
The poem, titled “WHY WE FIGHT TO DIE,” became part of an experience that Pietrek says stayed with him for years.

The encounter also reinforced his desire to connect “Eagleyez” with military service and sacrifice.

Pietrek originally wrote “Eagleyez” in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and recorded it in 2001 with two of his Blaine High School friends, Chais Parkos on guitar and Scott Andrus on drums.

The recently remixed version retains the song's original connection to that period while giving Pietrek an opportunity to introduce it to a new audience.

“The song evokes memories of where people were and what they were doing on September 11, 2001, and the feelings of camaraderie we all seemed to have in the days following,” Pietrek said.

The song begins with a biographical perspective before referencing America's Revolutionary-era history and, ultimately, the country's involvement in another conflict in the Middle East.

Pietrek uses the bald eagle as a central symbol of America's freedom, strength, people and collective resolve following periods of national adversity. The song also asks whether the ideals represented by the United States can endure through repeated periods of danger and conflict.

Pietrek describes “Eagleyez” as a personal love letter to America.

The song's release is also connected to Pietrek's long-standing relationship with Veterans Memorial Park in Blaine and its founder, Steve Guider.
Guider was one of Pietrek's football coaches when Pietrek attended Blaine High School.

“When Coach Guider said they were going to put a K-9 statue there, I thought, okay, now people might want to hear a story about patriotism and resilience,” Pietrek said.

Veterans Memorial Park opened in 2019 on the grounds of Tom Ryan Park, adjacent to Blaine City Hall. The park contains monuments and memorials recognizing different eras and aspects of American military service, including the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the War on Terror.
The park also features a POW/MIA monument, a monument honoring women who have served, a Gold Star children's monument, Freedom Rock, a Purple Heart monument and benches honoring individuals who have served.

The planned K-9 and Soldier statue is among the remaining monuments envisioned for the park.

According to Guider, the K-9 and Soldier statue is expected to cost approximately $80,000. The broader park project has a total fundraising goal of approximately $900,000, with about $260,000 remaining to be raised for the planned improvements and monuments.

Guider said the nonprofit currently has approximately $44,000 available and hopes community support will help raise the remaining funds.

In addition to the K-9 and Soldier statue, planned projects include a combat medic statue, a plaque recognizing Minnesota's Medal of Honor recipients, repairs to a crack in the Purple Heart Memorial, additional park signage and the possible addition of a military helicopter.

“I didn't want it to be a Blaine Veterans Park. That scope is too narrow,” Guider said. “We are a Veterans Memorial Park that is in the City of Blaine, but we honor everybody who has ever served this country.”

Guider is not a veteran himself but said he has tremendous respect for those who have served and sacrificed.

For Pietrek, directing proceeds from “Eagleyez” toward the park provides a way to connect his music, his hometown and the Marine who became his first patient.

“I wanted to do something that honored the people who have served and sacrificed for this country,” Pietrek said.

The release of “Eagleyez” offers Pietrek an opportunity to do that while helping support the next addition to a local memorial dedicated to American military service.

More info: 25911250.com

About James Pietrek
James Pietrek is a chiropractor and 1998 graduate of Blaine High School. He has practiced chiropractic care for more than 20 years and has also maintained a long-standing interest in music.

More information about the park itself can be found on its Facebook page: Facebook.com/p/Veterans-Memorial-Park-of-Blaine-100064805256595/

James Pietrek and Steve Guider at the proposed location of the K-9 and Soldier statue at Veterans Memorial Park in Blaine, Minnesota

James Pietrek
Eagleyez
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