Country music helps people remember a loved one, a lover lost, good times and bad, and sometimes its just pure fun. I don’t think any country artist ever thought or wanted to think that their music would help save someones life. They just hope most people like their music and pass it on to family and friends. I wonder how an artist would feel or react to know that their music in fact did help save someones life. Because that’s just what happened on June 28, 2005. Four Navy seals where transported into the mountains of Northern Afghanistan where their worst dreams would come true. These men trained vigorously night and day for months to go behind enemy lines gather information, kill or kidnap, they did what they where told to do. Except this time they didn’t and it cost them their lives, all except one, Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell.

Petty Officer Luttrell is the only surviving member of S.E.A.L Team 10. Three members where killed on the mountain with Petty Officer Luttrell and the others died trying to save Marcus and his team after Lt. Murphy, using his cell phone called for help. Lt. Murphy died while making that call. Marcus Luttrell was subsequently blown off the mountain by an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) fired by a Taliban warrior.

After being blown off the mountain Mr. Luttrell started to to become disheartened. He came upon a fallen tree and some logs so he hid amongst them for sometime and started feeling sorry for himself, “( In my head I played over and over again one of the verses of Toby Keith’s country and western classic “American Soldier”. I remember lying there quietly singing the words to myself, the part that said I might have to die…”I’ll bear that cross with honor.” I sang those words all night. I can’t tell you how much they meant to me. I can tell you, it’s little things like that, the words of a song, which can give you the strength to go on.” Which he did until he was found by some local Pushtan tribesmen, who took him in and helped him until he was rescued 5 days later by Army Green Berets and Rangers.

One of the biggest parts of the rescue is Toby Keith. He undoubtedly never thought that his music would inspire someone to keep going and not give up. This story has become a huge part of who Toby Keith is and how he affects the lives of his fans whether directly or indirectly. His un-ending love of the U.S. military and his tireless devotion to our troops goes to show that his time is appreciated and valued to the true end. We salute you Mr. Keith and ask that you keep inspiring people to be fighters and push forward even in the toughest of times.

Country music has its place no matter where, when or why its listened to. But we now know that country music is not for just pure enjoyment, its a life saver. Something to appreciate and keep close to the heart, because you never know when your gonna need a boost to get you through something you thought you couldn’t do alone, because your not, you will always have the music to help.