Last week, I noted the death of Spc. David Mahlenbrock, who died in Iraq when a roadside bomb detonated. In a letter he wrote before his death, preparing for the possibility that he might be killed in the line of duty, he asked his family to play Toby Keith’s “American Soldier” at his funeral.

Via Blackfive, I learned that a non-profit charity called Soldier’s Angels asked Keith to sing the song tomorrow when Mahlenbrock is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Now comes word that Keith has declined. His managers said “the singer sets aside this time of the year to spend with his family.”

Meanwhile, Mahlenbrock’s family sang the song at a service for him in Maple Shade, N.J. yesterday. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported:

Keith’s song echoed through Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mahlenbrock’s native Maple Shade, a sound track to the life that hundreds gathered to remember.

And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don’t want to die for you
But if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor
‘Cause freedom don’t come free.

The words couldn’t drown out the heaving sobs that filled the Burlington County church as family, friends and strangers mourned the death of a young soldier, husband and father…Mahlenbrock’s 19-year-old widow, Melissa, cuddled his 11-week-old daughter, Kadence, bundled in tiny black clothes in honor of a father she’ll never know.

Mahlenbrock’s family and friends are still urging folks to get their local radio stations to play the song tomorrow at 1pm in Mahlenbrock’s memory. Please give your station a call.