A well-known country singer is reaching out to the people of Puyallup with a heartfelt request. Craig Morgan, a popular Nashville-based artist and U.S. Army veteran, is hoping to reconnect with a fan he met during a show at the Washington State Fair back in 2013. The fan’s story, Morgan says, changed his life.
Craig Morgan’s Special Memory from Puyallup
Craig Morgan performed at the Washington State Fair on September 6, 2013, shortly after releasing his album “The Journey (Livin’ Hits).” After the show, he held an autograph session, where a young man with a prosthetic leg waited patiently to speak with him.
In a Facebook post shared on February 3, Morgan recalled,
“There was a young gentleman there who had a prosthetic leg and wanted to tell me a story. I tried to get him to tell it, but he waited until everyone else was through. It was a story that changed the way I looked at what I was doing in the music world.”
Now, more than a decade later, Morgan is hoping someone from the community can help him reconnect with that man.
A Story That Left a Lasting Mark
According to Morgan, the man told him that his music had saved his life—twice.
The first time was during the war in Iraq. The man was driving when a song called “Paradise” came on. He skipped the track, reached down to the player, and just then, a sniper shot through the window. The bullet missed him.
The second time came during a difficult period in his life, when he was emotionally struggling. That’s when the song “Almost Home” played on the radio. It gave him new strength and perspective to carry on.
Morgan said,
“Of all the stories I’ve ever heard, his is the one I’ve told again and again. I’d love to reconnect with him and have him be part of what we’re doing now.”
A Soldier-Led Music Project
Morgan, who served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve from 1995 to 2004, made headlines in 2023 when he re-enlisted in the Army Reserve. He’s since been promoted to Chief Warrant Officer.
He’s currently working on a new extended play project—a “soldier-led initiative.” The aim is to record music written by fellow soldiers at an Army studio, giving voice to stories and emotions straight from those who’ve served.
Morgan believes the fan he met in Puyallup would be a powerful part of this project, and that’s why he’s trying so hard to find him.
A Community Effort to Reconnect
After Morgan’s Facebook post went live, the Washington State Fair shared it on February 4, hoping the man—or someone who knows him—would come forward.
“We’re sharing this to see if we can help find him! Maybe he or a relative will see this and reach out!” the fair wrote.
Stacy Van Horne, spokesperson for the fair, told The News Tribune that there have been no new updates since the post was shared.
Why Morgan Rejoined the Army
When asked why he chose to re-enlist in 2023, Morgan said he wanted to complete 20 years of military service and earn the retirement letter that comes with it.
“I really wanted that letter so my kids and grandkids and everyone could see that I could retire in service to my nation,” he said. “I’ll serve as long as they’ll have me.”
What’s Next for Craig Morgan
The new music project is still in its early stages, and there’s no official release date yet. But Morgan’s passion for giving soldiers a platform to express themselves is clear.
His most recent release is the extended play “American Soundtrack”, launched on February 28, 2025. That same year, he collaborated with Blake Shelton on the song “Heaven Sweet Home”, which featured on Shelton’s album “For Recreational Use Only.” Morgan later joined Shelton on his 2025 “Friends & Heroes” tour.
Now, Morgan hopes to complete the circle by finding the man whose story moved him so deeply—and invite him to be part of a new chapter in soldier-driven music.
