Tampabay.com -- ZEPHYRHILLS — The inspiration came from a country music song, though his father doesn't remember which one. But three years ago, Marcus Mathes made an announcement.

"He said, 'I was listening to the radio the other day, to Toby Keith, and I decided to join the Army," his father, Ralph Mathes said Tuesday. "I said, 'Couldn't you change the damn station?"

Marcus Mathes, a Zephyrhills High School graduate, died Monday near Baghdad, his family said Tuesday.

Mathes, 26, was at his base working on a truck when he and two buddies were killed by rocket fire, his father said.

The Defense Department could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Mathes left for boot camp on his 23rd birthday, March 15, 2005. He served in Afghanistan from October 2006 until March 2007. In November 2007, he left for Iraq.