It was just a normal September raining Monday morning but to Army Capt. Luis Avila, it was the highlight of his life—sitting in a wheelchair, being in front of the president of the United States and other officials, singing the patriotic hymn “God Bless America” proudly at a ceremony to honor the new incoming chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley.

“God bless America, land that I love,” Avila raised his unique voice, which was hard for anyone who heard it for the first time. It was the damage from his service time in Afghanistan that left him without the ability to talk normally.

During the song, President Trump bobbed his head along with the music and gave Avila his signature thumbs-up sign. When Avila finished his solo, the president and other guests of honor joined in singing another verse.

After the song, Trump walked over to Avila, embraced the wounded veteran with a hug. His wife, Claudia appeared to be holding back tears.

Back in December 2011, Avila was leading a search and rescue mission along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border when a 600-pound improvised explosive device detonated beneath Avila’s vehicle, splitting it in half. The incident wounded him severely and killed three of his fellow soldiers.

Avila suffered two strokes and two heart attacks, along with a severe lack of oxygen, which left him almost completely paralyzed and confined him to a wheelchair. His left leg was also amputated, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He spent 40 days in a coma before he woke up.

The adversity could not drain his positive energy. Avila credits music therapy as a critical component of his healing.

At the end of the performance, Avila presented a challenge coin to President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and Gens. Milley and Dunford.

God bless America. God bless our military and veterans!