Reba McEntire photo by Marc Baptiste, courtesy of UMG Nashville.
Oct. 16, 2008 — Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift and Martina McBride share the cover of the new issue of Redbook, which features more than 15 pages of performers talking patriotism and responsibility in a "Vote (For Your) Country" package.
The photos feature red, white and blue guitars, all-American ribbons and a symbol of democracy: a voting booth. And a myriad of stars — including Clint Black, Trisha Yearwood, SHeDAISY and Lady Antebellum — discuss what being an American means to them.
"The other day," Reba says, "I was going through security at an airport, and a serviceman was right behind me. I asked him where he was headed, and he told me, ‘To Iraq.’ And I said, ‘Is this your first tour?’ And he said, ‘I hope it’s my last, because I’ve done four.’ I got all choked up, and I said to him, ‘I know this doesn’t go very far, but I sure do appreciate what you do for me and my family.’"
America was built on sacrifice, and on Election Day, the smallest sacrifice Americans are asked to make is to give up a small part of their day to cast a vote and let their voice be heard in a small-but-convincing way as the nation decides its future.
"There are people in foreign countries who stand in line all day just to be able to vote," Reba notes. "When people here take it for granted, I think it’s a shame. If you have a gripe, you have the right to voice it and try to fix it by voting."