We lost Brad Arnold today. He was 47 years old after his valiant fight against cancer.

This is a sad day, not only for music lovers, but for veterans as well.

This is because 3 Doors Down, and specifically Brad’s voice, was the soundtrack to many of our military careers.

I’ll never forget the first time I heard “Kryptonite”. It was in my barracks room in Fort Drum, New York in 2000. The sound was incredible. Myself and many of my friends couldn’t get enough of it.

And I mean all of my friends. It wasn’t uncommon to hear Kryptonite in the clubs. They played it early on because it was such a vibe. One of my best battle buddies, who didn’t even care for rock, would head out on the floor because the vibe made everyone feel so alive.

But “The Better Life” was only the beginning.

“Away From The Sun” was an album myself, and many of my buddies listened to on our MP3 players rolling into Iraq. This was after 9/11 and during Iraqi Freedom. “Going Down In Flames” was a track many of us used to relay the fact that we didn’t care what happened. We believe in what we’re doing.

And of course, Citizen/Soldier, which is a track for the National Guard came out shortly after. A song just for them. Not many other musicians go that far.

Even to this day as a struggling veteran, Brad’s voice can help me temporarily forget the problems I’m going through.

This is because Brad and the rest of the band truly cared for us.

I’m so grateful for Brad Arnold, everyone else in 3 Doors Down, and their friends and family who helped get them there, for being such an awesome part of our journey.

God Bless All Of Them. And as they hurt, we hurt with them. But Brad’s legacy will heal us and make us all stronger.