Entertainers Giving Back to the Troops: Thanks Toby Keith
If you hadn’t heard, Toby Keith recently finished up a 15-show tour in Afghanistan, April 27. This would be his seventh tour with the United Service Organization (USO.) It’s really great to see entertainers like Toby Keith do something (more than once!) for the troops. If more and more entertainers did this (like the recent Star Trek premiere in Kuwait), the troops that sacrifice so much for the military might just have a little easier time out there.
There are quite a few performers who routinely do something to show support for the troops, but it would be nice for some of these multi-millionaires to take a little time to give back to the people who fight (And sometimes, sadly, die) to protect the freedom to be an entertainer and make lots of money. Sadly, there are too many in the entertainment industry (much like the big media industry) that will do nothing. This just makes me shake my head. (If you agree, leave a comment and let’s try to send a message…)
To all those like Mr. Keith who do do their part to support the troops, my hat off to you. Whoever you are and wherever you are, if you’ve supported the troops and continue to do so, you need to be saluted. There are a lot of good men and women all over the world who are putting their lives on the line each and every day. They need to be given all the support from Hollywood (and the media) that they can get. Especially now. If there’s really going to be a “change” – one of the things that need changing is how the entertainment industry takes time to support those who defend freedom.
I’m going to stop now before I get too worked up. Enjoy the pics and video.
Sgt. Stryker out.
New York Guardsmen Stay on Alert to Save Lives
Senior Master Sgt. Glen Berg, 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, gets together his gear before a mission here. Sergeant Berg, a New York Air National Guardsman, is an aerial gunner for the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters here and a New York City firefighter back home. Some of the New York Guardsmen in the 101st ERQS wear patches like this 9-11 patch as a reminder while they stand on alert to rescue downed pilots and ground troops wounded behind enemy lines. New York’s 101st Rescue Squadron from West Hampton Beach, N.Y., is preparing to head home after supporting Operation Enduring Freedom for nearly five months. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
USS Gettysburg Patrols the Gulf of Aden
A visit, board, search, and seizure team from the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg patrols the Gulf of Aden near a suspected pirate vessel. Gettysburg is deployed as part of Combined Task Force – 151, a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations to detect and deter piracy in and around the Gulf of Aden, Persian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. CTF-151 was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment. Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian K. Fromal
Afghan Police Play Critical Role in Country’s Future
Afghan national police recruits participate in entry level training at the Central Training Center, Kabul, Afghanistan, April 23. Trainees attend an eight-week program of instruction. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad McNeeley
Soldiers of Sea on Okinawa Apply World War II Lessons to Survey Beach for Amphibious Landing
Lance Cpl. Alden Contreras, Lance Cpl. Bret Fugate and Sgt. Justin Yaw, reconnaissance men, Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, emerge from the water, weapons at the ready, to secure a beach head in order to make it safe for their remaining team mates to complete a hydrographic survey. Photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Avitt
Rescue Squadron Conducts Rescue Exercise
A U.S. Air Force C-130P aircraft from the 81st Rescue Squadron lands on a dry lake bed during a search and rescue exercise in Grand Bara, Djibouti, April 23. The exercise consisted of transporting Pararescuemen to their water jump, aerial refueling of a CH-53E helicopter, a assault landing on an unimproved runway, and transloading a simulated survivor from the CH-53E. Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Swafford
Chief Petty Officer Cory Drake documents a U.S. Air Force C-130P aircraft, from the 81st Rescue Squadron taking off from a dry lake bed, during a search and rescue exercise in Grand Bara, Djibouti, April 23. The exercise consisted of a Pararescuemen water jump, aerial refueling of a CH-53E helicopter, a assault landing on an unimproved runway, and transloading a simulated survivor from the CH-53E. Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Swafford
April 30th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Thank you for the article on Toby’s visit. I wish more entertainers would do what he does but there aren’t many like him. He is ONE OF A KIND. I also want to thank you for what you and all the military personnel are doing keeping us safe. Take Care and hope you come home soon.
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
It’s easy to forget what you are all doing in both Iraq and Afghanistan, your all doing a great job, keep safe and come home soon.
Prepare for Boot Camp