OLD TOWN CRIER - OUR BACKYARD
CRAIG MORGAN / CHRIS YOUNG / GAC
TRAVEL TO KUWAIT, IRAQ & GERMANY
Country superstar
Craig Morgan and Nashville Star winner Chris Young, accompanied by
GAC's
Host Nan Kelley all traveled to Iraq and Germany as part of the most
recent Stars for Stripes tour. Also participating in this
tour was wounded heros SFC Joe Bowser U.S. Army Retired and SSGT.
Scott Lilley U.S. Air Force, Active Duty. Craig has been on
many tours to Iraq to entertain the troops and spent 10
years
in the U.S. Army serving our country. Craig knows first hand
the
importance
of boosting the morale of our service men and women.
This was Chris Young's first trip to Iraq, as well as Nan Kelley's.
Craig is known for his hits "Almost Home", "Redneck Yacht Club" and
his current hit "Bonfire".
Chris Young is known for being season 4 winner (2006) of Nashville Star
and his most recent #1 hit, "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress
song)".
I can’t really put into words what an amazing trip this was!! Very
very moving and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go! You all
work so hard to make sure all the details are in place and I can’t
thank you enough.
Our Stars For Stripes tour was so very moving and rewarding. I truly
felt the appreciation that our troops had for us coming over there
to thank them. And being with 2 wounded heroes returning to the
country that almost took their life was an emotional, inspirational
experience I will never forget. Judy Seale’s heart is in this
100%—we were sleeping and she was up in the middle of the night
emailing and making arrangements for the next tour!! -
Nan
Kelley, Host for GAC
I went on this trip with a selfish motive and that was to give me
alone some closure. I wanted to walk out this time instead of being
carried out. I found out after talking to the troops as they came by
for autographs that because Scott Lilly and I were there to tell our
stories after being wounded pumped them up. I had hundreds of people
say thank you for coming back this has really motivated me. Or some
would come by and just look at us and say thank you for your service
while they had tears flowing down their face. God gave me a second
chance at life and I think this maybe something he has wanted me to
do to help our troops that are still over there. Thank you SFS for
giving me the opportunity to bring some closure on this trip. -
Joe Bowser, US Army Retired
Our recent tour of Iraq with
Stars for Stripes and GAC was a trip of a lifetime. Judy Seale, an
unsung hero, should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for all her
efforts. It was heartwarming to see the reception and the
appreciation in which our troops received Scott, Joe, Nan, Craig
and Chris.
Visiting Scott's injury site and
the Balad hospital will help put some closure to his journey.
I also came away feeling that maybe I've helped our servicemen in
a small way. I'm proud of our entire tour group. -
Frank Lilley, Father of Scott
Lilley
The trip back to Baghdad and Balad was the trip of my lifetime. I got to see where I was Wounded on 15 April 2007 and got to go to the Balad Medical Center where they brought me back to life. The trip to Balad was the best part of the trip cause I got to see where I was brought back to life and all the support they give to the Wounded Warriors and what they do was so awesome. I do not think I could ask for anything better :-)... I was surprised at the Balad Medical Center by my cousin, a former Marine, who is in Iraq working as a civilian for the Marine Corp was there at the Medical Center to welcome me back. It was also a great trip going with another Wounded Warrior, (Retired) SFC Joe Bowser and Craig Morgan, Chris Young and Nan Kelley. WOW what a TDY that was for me. Thank you to every Service Member and civilians for everything you have done and continue to do. - SSGT. Scott Lilley, U.S. Air Force Active Duty
"Stars for Stripes": Wounded Warriors
Return, An Emotional Trip Back to Iraq - by Jimmy Carter
Country Weekly -
December 2009
Nan Kelley Shares Her Thoughts on Trip to
Middle East
Wounded Warrior Gives Back;
Toledo Native Hurt in IraqCounts Blessings
CRAIG AND CHRIS PATRIOTIC BUDDIES
Craig Morgan and Chris Young have been visiting our servicemen
and women overseas, performing in hospitals and military bases
in Iraq and Germany, and a recent letter from a serviceman to
his hometown radio station expressed the depth of his
appreciation for the trip. Stationed on a small combat outpost
in Iraq, he wrote that celebrity visits often bypass his
location.
“This time it was different though,” he wrote. “They signed
autographs, took pictures and performed for us, it was great. I
made sure to thank them for taking the time to come see us and
support us. I just wanted to share this story with folks back
home because they were truly gracious and I don’t think most
people know how far some stars are willing to go to show their
support.” Hosted by GAC’s Nan Kelley, the Stars for Stripes tour
is being documented to also share with fans back home, with a
one-hour GAC special set to air in December.
ROAD REPORT
FEEDBACK FROM THE TOUR
SFS PHOTOS
PHOTOS - CAMP SATHER
PHOTOS FROM GRAND OLE OPRY
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS ON FLIGHT TO KUWAIT
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS OF KUWAIT CITY
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS IN IRAQ - 1ST SHOW
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS IN IRAQ - 2ND SHOW
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS IN IRAQ - 10.28.09
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS - AMERICAN EMBASSY
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS IN IRAQ - BALAD
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS IN IRAQ - BALAD AB
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS - WOUNDED HERO JOE BOWSER
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS
- GERMANY FISHER HOUSE
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
PHOTOS
- SHOW IN RAMSTEIN
(COURTESY OF CHESTER SIMPSON)
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