SILVER SPRINGS, FL (352today.com) – On Saturday evening, live music returned to Silver Springs State Park after a seven-year hiatus. Several thousand people showed up for the Never Give Up on Country concert.

Country music fans danced on the lawn at Twin Oaks Mansion as they listened to country duo Johnny & Heidi, Chris McNeil and headliner Parmalee perform.

Johnny and Heidi perform. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Chris McNeil performs at a concert to benefit the Travis Mills Foundation. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
93.7 K-Country’s Lewis Stokes announces an act during the Never Give Up on Country concert to benefit the Travis Mills Foundation. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Parmalee lead singer Matt Thomas belts out a tune. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Fans enjoy the performances, the first at the park since 2017. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Travis Mills talks with the crowd. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

93.7 K-Country’s Lewis Stokes was the emcee for the event.

“The crowd was loud and enthusiastic,” said Stokes. “So many said they were happy to have a concert to go to at Silver Springs again.”

The concert was a benefit for the Travis Mills Foundation. Mills’ story took a life-changing turn in 2012 as he told 352today’s Kathy Dugan weeks ahead of the concert.

|RELATED: After seven-year hiatus, Silver Springs State Park reopens to concerts with a benefit for veterans

“While I was in the military, I was fortunate to serve the 82nd Airborne Division. I used to jump out airplanes, kick those guys in the face, do all that cool stuff. Well, I mean, only the ones that deserved a kick in the face,” said Mills. “Unfortunately, on my third deployment to Afghanistan, I happened to set my backpack down on a roadside bomb, an IED. When the bomb went off, it tore off portions of my arms and legs. So, I’m one of five surviving quadriplegic parties.”

Travis Mills talks with fans during the Never Give Up on Country concert. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

Now Mills is a self-described “recalibrated veteran,” not a “wounded warrior.” It’s a term he coined because he says his wounds healed, and he adjusted to his new normal; he recalibrated. He fights to help other injured combat veterans through a variety of programs his foundation offers.

One of the signatures is barrier-free, life-enhancing retreats for veterans and their families to an adapted facility in Maine’s Belgrade Lakes. The veterans who attend bond over shared experiences, enjoy a multitude of adaptive activities, and most importantly, learn that they’re not alone.

In addition to proceeds from ticket sales, a live auction raised funds for the foundation. One guitar signed by Parmalee and Travis Mills sold for $3,000.

https://youtu.be/PCDangGceHw