Soldier Wins Contest, Meets Kid Rock

As of press time, Army Soldier Trampus Miller is currently headed to Columbia, S.C. to experience the Kid Rock Salutes the Troops Presented by Jim Beam: Patriot Day 2010 concert on Sept. 11, a day which needs no introduction to Americans. Miller was the recipient of this exclusive trip as the selected service member in the Jim Beam Salute Soldiers with the Spirit of America contest.

The contest called for American civilians to nominate their military friends and family to receive VIP experiences, courtesy of Jim Beam and military charity Operation Homefront. Miller's wife nominated her hubby for his selfless service, bravery and true Army pride. Miller lost a leg in combat, but that has not dampened his spirits. This program is just one of many ways that rock music is a source of support for our men and women serving in the military, and it helps further deepen the music and military bond.

"I was quite surprised when my wife called to tell me we had won this contest," Miller told Noisecreep. "Before her phone call, I knew nothing about the contest. When she told me some of the details of the contest, I was stoked to do it. I have been a big Kid Rock fan for many years." Besides the VIP tickets and the chance to shake hands with Kid Rock, Miller also plans to see a former military buddy on the trip. Miller said, "He was with me when our vehicle was hit with the IED. He and I both came out of this missing a leg. He is now stationed there in South Carolina and we have been in contact so we don't miss each other."

Miller said he is most excited about meeting Rock, a consummate troops supporter but also harbors a further fantasy. "I'm also hoping he has Hank Williams Jr. there with him too," Miller admitted. "That would just be too cool. I know that's probably not going to happen but hey, I can hope right?" You sure can, Mr. Miller!

Miller said he listens to a wide array of music, but there is a key reason he has remained a consummate and committed Kid Rock fan. "When you listen to Kid Rock, you get a little bit of everything all wrapped into one," he said. "I think that's why I have remained a fan of Kid Rock over the years." Miller also said he has been a rock fan since his formative years; he became aware of rock music around the age of 10 after having been previously exposed mostly to country tunes.

"The first rock song I heard was 'Highway to Hell' by AC/DC," he admitted. "From that point on, I was hooked. I was started out on AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, then Guns N' Roses, Poison, Kid Rock, Nirvana, White Zombie, Mötley Crüe, Pink Floyd, Live, Pearl Jam, the list goes on and on."

There is a connection between the military and rock music, as both are very muscular entities. But Miller theorized that anyone with surging adrenaline seeks out rock. "The connection doesn't stop there though," Miller mused. "Prior to joining the Army, I was a firefighter and medic in my hometown. While racing down the road to a house fire or car wreck, you could bet I some sort of rock music blasting the whole way. The connection I think is with every adrenaline junkie out there."

Rock music and the military can further enjoy a symbiotic relationship. "The music community does a great deal as it is to show their support for the troops," Miller mentioned. "This reminder in song to the American people keeps us fresh in their minds as they go about their day. I don't know about you, but every time I hear a song on the radio with reference to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have to pause for a second and think about all my buddies that are still over there fighting and the ones who lost their lives on the battlefield.

"Over the last two years, about nine months or so was spent laying in a hospital bed. It may take me a while but I'm sure I could make a list several pages long of singers, actors and sports players that made their way to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. D.C. to show that we are on their minds."

Thanks for sharing and for serving our country, Trampus Miller.