LeAnn Rimes hands the keys to a brand new Chevrolet to Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Reid on June 7, 2007, in Nashville, Tenn. His wife, Michele Reid, right, and his full-time caregiver, Brian Kroen, look on. Chevrolet and Rimes teamed up at the Country Music Association Music Festival to present the vehicle to Reid, who was selected by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, a nonprofit organization providing assistance to wounded and disabled veterans from the war on terror. The Chevrolet Uplander was modified to accommodate Reid’s wheelchair.
Iraq veteran Peter Reid has gotten a boost from LeAnn Rimes.
A 2004 mortar attack in Iraq’s Anbar province left Reid, a Navy Seabee, partially paralyzed, blind in one eye and dependent on a motorized wheelchair. He also suffered a brain injury, and bits of shrapnel remain in his head and body.
Reid hadn’t left his Palm Bay house for months because it took two people to lift him into and out of his van.
Now he’s looking forward to shopping trips with his wife, Michele, because of a gift from Rimes.
Last week in Nashville, Tenn., the 24-year-old country singer who grew up in Garland, Texas, handed Reid the keys to a new wheelchair-accessible van.
Chevrolet, the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and Rimes, a supporter of the veterans group, teamed up to present the van to Reid.
“She’s wonderful,” Reid said of Rimes after returning Monday to Florida. “She walked up to me like I was part of her family. She said, ‘Pete, come with me. I have something for you.’ I went out and there was the van. It was quite a surprise.”
The Chevrolet Uplander is equipped with an automatic door and wheelchair ramp, allowing Reid to maneuver his wheelchair into and out of the van.
While in Nashville, Reid and his wife attended a Rimes concert and her fan-club breakfast.
Wild Thing’s comment………
I am not positive but I think she did this last year as well. I love hearing about stories like this happening. God Bless her and Navy Seabee Peter Reid.
God bless our troops and a huge thank you for all you do.
YEAH! This is what fame is all about–you are of privilege, so you should give back.
If it weren’t for us buying your CDs, etc., you would not have a job.
I’ve always liked LeAnn. She’s always been one classy girl.
I love to see things like this.
The media ought to show this, instead of just a crawl across the bottom of the screen.
I saw LeAnn back bout 8 years ago when she was touring with Allan Jackson and I’ve liked her ever since. It’s a shame the MSM hasn’t said anything about this.
This is so heartwarmming. Why isn’t this being told with the same frenzy Paris was covered>? This is actually “news”, and what a good role model she is being !
The reason the media doesn’t cover this is it is Too “American” to be told. A story that puts the people of this country in a good light and says something good about us ,, Nah can’t have that.
Magnificent story!!! I have a lot of respect for LeAnn, as well as Navy Seabee Peter Reid.
LeAnn is a refreshing break from Lindsley, Paris and all the other spoiled brats. There are probably a lot of other “LeAnns” out there; you just don’t hear about their exploits.
Peter Reid, Navy Seabee…thank you for your Service to our country. May G_d Bless you, your family and care taker. I’m proud of you.
SSgt Steve, USMC
Semper Fi
Great story. Of course the MSM overlooks this. It is not controversial or good material for the brain challenged that buy “tell all” magazines at the checkout line.
Leann grew up in my neighborhood in Garland Texas. I used to see her in Denny’s and grocery stores when she was a very young teenage singing sensation locally. Then she sang the song “Blue”. I am glad she has done well.
Gotta LOVE the RED STATES and the patriotic C&W talents! She’s a classy lady and act all the way. God bless all of you and the Teddy Bear Nation!
God bless her. As an old fart and Patsy Cline fan I’ve followed LeAnn’s career since she first started singing, she puts so much of her heart and soul into whatever song she sings and has the woice to pull it all off. When she first sang I told my wife that little girl is going to be another singer as popular in the country – western genre as Patsy Cline. She has something those other phoney’s dont have, she is an honest, moral Christian who doesn’t flaunt it nor does she hide it. It is so hard for the media to report on anyone who has both talent and values. What a wonderful story WT, thank you.
Your spot on Jack and dittos about Patsy Cline, too.
Leann Rimes has done some good work. reminds me a lot of Ann Margaret. She was pretty ‘hot’ too.
Boy I just dated myself, didn’t I.
I’m with you, Jack. What a charming story.
It’s a pity that when some people talk about “American culture” they’re talking about Paris Hilton and not about this.
I don’t understand what I am doing wrong…I have been published in your blog on three or four occasions……..let me know, this is the third time i have made comments only to have them roost in this nest for days. Robert
Not one for country music, but God bless her.
Lynn I agree, when a person is blessed with success they should always give back in some way. I love when it is to give back to our troops and Veterans most of all.
Entertainers especially should give back to our troops because they have a gift of singing, dancing, some form of entertaining them which they love when they are so far from home.
Bob yes it is a shame, there are so many wonderful things the media could be sharing about and they just won’t do it.
Magz I agree, it is shameful how the media will not tell postive things going on about our Veterans, our troops and those that support them.
Mark you hit the nail on the head with what you said. You are exactly right!!!!
SSgt Steve, yes there are a lot more people like LeAnn out there. We just don’t hear about them, even this story was not easy to find out about.
I agree SSgt Steve, it is refreshing to hear about this compared to the others that only care about themselves and no one else.
Tom that is great, thank you for sharing about LeAnn. I am so glad she has done well.
Darth, big smile, love the way you put that.
Jack that is so neat!!! I love hearing about how when you heard her the first time you knew amd how she reminded you of Patsy Cline.
Mark,giggle, not so dated….hahaha
I agree too, Ann Margaret is really a nice person. And she loved getting to see the troops too.
Trish you right it sure is a pity. The meida decides what they think should be American culture but it is not what we all think it is or want it to be either. I agree with you.
For all , I like country music Yeee Haaaw . Maybe you saw this video but i learn this today . Al Gore criticizes Bush Sr for ignoring Iraq’s ties to terrorism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JE48XHKG64 ,i’m so surprised , Al Gore , this guy who scream ” there is no links beetween terrorists and Saddam Hussein ” whereas he said the opposite in 1992 . This guy make me seek . Bush never lie about WMD and links beetween terrorists and Hussein . You are very lucky to have a president like Bush .
Hi Robert, I put the link you had in your comment, the one to your blog in the space for your URL. That might have been what was wrong, not sure. I hope it is OK now.
I do have your email on the approved list for making comments as well.
razOr, thank you. 🙂