Country music star, Toby Keith, speaks on-air during an interview on Armed Forces Network Iraq’s Freedom Radio at the Combined Press Information Center Tuesday. Keith’s visit to Baghdad is part of his fifth United Service Organizations (USO) tour. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Carl N. Hudson, Combined Press Information Center.
By Sgt. Sky M. Laron
Combined Press Information Center
BAGHDAD — Country music star, Toby Keith, visited troops stationed in Baghdad Tuesday.
Singing songs and playing guitar are a few things Keith, an Oklahoma native, does quite well. Visiting troops in combat is another activity he takes pride in.
Keith’s visit to Baghdad is part of his fifth United Service Organizations (USO) tour.
“If you are going to talk the talk, then you’ve got to walk the walk”… and that is why he is back in Iraq and performing for the Soldiers, he said.
USO celebrity entertainment tours bring volunteer celebrities to entertain, lift morale and express the gratitude and support of the American people, according to the USO website.
A strong supporter of the military, Keith has always respected the sacrifice and dedication to duty that Soldiers display when they are far from home and their families.
Keith says that it is easy for him to come over to Iraq for a few weeks every year because he does not have to stay the entire year. The Soldiers are the ones making a huge sacrifice with their long deployments.
Keith has seen some of the same Soldiers several times, sometimes two or three years in a row, he said.
“It’s a huge sacrifice for the families too,” he said.
The high opinion he has for the troops started early in life and serves him well today.
“My father was a Soldier, and I was raised in a family where if your dad was a Soldier, you’ve got to respect your veterans,” he said.
Having sold more than 30 million records, success is something that Keith knows a little something about, but performing for the military and shaking hands with Soldiers is what motivates him.
Keith will continue his USO tour throughout the Persian Gulf and later into Germany.
“It doesn’t matter where in the world our Soldiers are, I’ll be there,” said Keith.
God bless Toby Keith for all his trips to thank the Troops. And God bless the USO too for all they do to bring it all together.
Your typical Red State American Okie patriot that does the Sooners proud! Toby sells out our July State Fair every year within hours. JOHN 15:13!
Another star to make us proud.
But the media will NEVER show this.
Toby Keith spends so much time with the troops, it should be just a matter of time before they make him a honorary Marine or Soldier.
What an American, makes me proud that I love country music and Toby Keith. And without peeking, who is the media talking about? ABC’s Chancres !!!
Thank you WT.
Toby is a constant supporter of our troops, no wavering on his part. Another group of unsung heroes are the entertainers and volunteers who provide support and enjoyment for our warriors.
In WWII the USO was presented in the media and movies as a great part of our war effort. Since then, in Korea, Vietnam and our present war on terror, any celebrities or charitable group supporting the troops is ignored or attacked. Even the Red Cross. And the great army of red-stater common citizens who support the troops and their mission are referred to by today’s media as mindless fools.
I’ve always liked Toby Keith; now I admire him as well.
Thanks for passing this on. You made my day.
Darth, that is so neat that he comes there. I would love to see one of his concerts.
Lynn, your right, the media would rather give us minute by minute updates on Paris Hilton. ick
I would rather see news on people going to thank our troops.
Bob that would be neat if they did that.
Jack, exactly. Thank you.
Tom that is so true. The media would choke if they had to report on the celebs that do go to thank the troops around the world and in the war.
Hi Trish,glad you like him too. Thank you.