Scotty McCreery Sings Tribute Song To Honor Fallen Soldiers

Scotty McCreery Official / YouTube

When American Idol winner Scotty McCreery heard about the story of Lance Corporal Andrew Carpenter, he knew he had to be the one to tell it.

Lance Cpl. Carpenter served our country in the United State Marine Corps and during his second tour in Afghanistan, came under enemy fire on Valentine’s Day in 2011. Five days later, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Chrissy. Their son, Landon, was born a few months later, and although he will never physically meet his father, we know Carpenter will aways be looking out for him.

He was laid to rest in Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbia, Tennessee, which is just outside of Nashville. The city of Columbia honored him and his service to our country by naming a highway after him.

McCreery wanted to tell Carpenter’s story because he had an incredibly close connection to it. Carpenter’s wife, Chrissy, is the cousin of McCreery’s bass player.

In the heartbreaking song “The Dash,” McCreery sings, “It ain’t about the numbers/Chiseled in concrete/It’s how they lived their lives/In the dash between“, reminding us not to focus on the death of our loved ones, but the life that they lived.

The music video includes footage of Chrissy and Landon looking at pictures of Andrew, photos of Andrew growing up, and an especially emotional photo of Landon as a newborn laying in his military uniform.

McCreery released “The Dash” music video on Veteran’s Day in 2014, dedicating it to not only Carpenter, but to all of our nation’s fallen heroes.

“My family and I have always been thankful for the men and women who protect us and lay down their lives to keep all Americans free,” McCreery explained in a press release, according to Taste of Country. “When Nathan told me the story about his cousin’s husband, I knew it was a very personal way to connect our audiences to the song ‘The Dash.’ On this day when we honor our military veterans, I could think of no better way to show my respect than to make sure my fans have a chance to know Andrew and his story. RIP Andrew — there is no way I can truly thank you for your sacrifice, but I can make sure you are never forgotten.”

Videos like this remind us what these heroes sacrifice to fight for our freedoms. Watch the emotional video below and make sure to keep your tissues handy.