"There's purpose in our pain!"

Country music icon Tanya Tucker is a powerhouse in every way-from her raspy vocals to her larger-than-life persona. But this Memorial Day, as she gears up to honor our men and women who have given their all for our freedom, it's clear that she is no stranger to heartache and struggle. Here, how faith and family keep her strong and hopeful

- Deborah Evans Price

Memorial Day not only signals the arrival of summer for Tanya Tucker, it’s also a time that the busy entertainer slows down to honor the military men and women who have given their lives for our country.

“They should be remembered…and celebrated,” Tanya says. “The brave men and women who have gone before us have blessed us with the most priceless gift of freedom. They inspire me to be a better American, and I deeply thank them and their families.” For the Grammy Award–winning singer and songwriter, that display of gratitude is a natural extension of her big heart— something that has defined Tanya’s incredible career from the moment she scored her first hit, “Delta Dawn,” at just 13 years old. From there, she has released hit songs, films, her tequila, Cosa Salvaje, and a recent documentary about her life, The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile.

But that success doesn’t mean Tanya has not faced her share of struggles, including a years-long battle with the Epstein-Barr virus. “I don’t know when it’s going to hit,” she admits. “When it does, it just knocks me to my knees.”

Still, the 64-year-old spitfire refuses to stay down. “When I get back up, I try to turn all that pain into a purpose and make someone’s day better. It makes me feel like a warrior.”

Here, Tanya’s secrets for staying strong spiritually, emotionally and physically—no matter what comes her way.