Megastar Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick get up close and personal with the troops at a remote forward operating base located in a very "active-fire" area in the Persian Gulf. A strong supporter of our troops, Toby has previously traveled to Africa, Cuba, Belgium, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Italy, Germany and numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO. USO Photo by Dave Gatley.
June 26, 2008 — Toby Keith’s appreciation of the military has found its way into his music — particularly "American Soldier" and "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)" — and his support of the armed services got Toby’s name affixed to a resolution on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Congressman Tom Cole, a Republican who represents Oklahoma, introduced a resolution June 10 recognizing Toby for his trips to the Middle East to perform on USO tours for the troops on the front line. He’s gone on six tours, performing in a number of different countries, including Germany, Italy and Cuba. But his most notable efforts have sent Toby several times to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he’s been so close to the action that one performance in April was interrupted by mortar fire.
"I believe Toby deserves to be acknowledged for his work," say Rep. Cole, who hails from Moore, Okla., the same area that Toby calls home. "He's shown a unique understanding of the dedication and difficult work the members of the Armed Forces do, and he has made it his priority to bring joy and entertainment back to them."
"The real glory belongs to those men and women I've met who leave their families and put it on the line
for the rest of us," Toby insists. "Getting to visit with them once a year is the biggest honor for me, and I will continue to encourage other artists and performers to make that USO trip."
Toby’s current tour of duty is a little closer to home. He’s in the middle of the Biggest & Baddest Tour with Montgomery Gentry, Carter’s Chord, Trailer Choir and Mica Roberts. The show hits West Palm Beach on Friday; Tampa, Saturday; and Charleston, S.C., Sunday.
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