I am in the Air Force and currently deployed to Iraq. I had the pleasure of
seeing Chely's show and afterwards purchased her greatest hits album and she
autographed it for me. It was such a pleasure to have Chely come perform for
us. The daily rigor of being deployed in a hostile environment wears thin on
one and to have her here was a breath of fresh air. I have to admit that even
though I am an avid country fan, I did not own a single Chely Wright cd. I
will rectify that situation as I now plan on buying them all. She is an
awesome performer and from what I saw, an awesome person. She was more than
kind to everyone and even ran the show a little longer than she was supposed
to. Every country fan in the room was on their feet at the end. She had a song
that she wrote that she said that is not published that I hope she will soon
do so. It was a song about a Marines bumper sticker on her SUV.. she got a
standing ovation for that one! It was great and brought a tear to just about
everyone in the rooms eye. I am still excited from seeing and meeting her..
she was a ray of sunshine and I hope that someone will pass on my gratitude to
her and her band for providing us with that momentary break from reality.I
don't think I can say enough about how great it was!! I and everyone who
attended applaud her and her band, a big thank-you from all the troops
here!!!!! Thank you again, Jeff.
***************************************************************
Thank you Chely from all of us here in the BRO (Big Red One) for your concert last
night! It was great! Please record the Marine song and keep the line about
adding the Army bumper sticker, it works! I look forward to returning home
and listening to your new album as I drive across Kansas again. Keep up
the great work. Always First!
SSG Rick Hansen
B Co 1st Engr Bn
Ft Riley, KS
PS Jay is not really buff, just big!
***************************************************************
Thank
you to ALL that helped out with the show at Camp Arifjan. Myself and a
few other soldier's got permission to leave our base, about 70 miles
from Arifjan, to come to the show.
The bumper sticker song really needs to be recorded. Also, please leave
in the last verse containing the "ARMY". I really could relate to the
words in this song, from the bottom of the heart thanks Chelly.
I will come and see you as promised when you play at Camp Lejuene, North
Carolina next time.
Again, thanks for the concert and taking the time out of your schedule
for us over here.
Chief Warrant Officer Clark Patton
385th Battalion
Camp Spearhead
***************************************************************
I just
got back from Chely's show at LSA Anaconda, Iraq. I have to say it was
quite a performance! This was my first Chely Wright concert, but I
guarantee it won't be my last. I just hope the next one is at a venue in
the good ol' USA. Chely's crowd interaction was fantastic. She really
knows how to get comfortable and make an audience feel like part of the
show.
Chely spent quite bit of time just talking to us and telling us about
herself and how she feels about things and why she does what she does.
She really opens up to her audience and it makes the show that much
better.
She played her new song that everyone has been talking about. She didn't
tell us the title (I'm not sure that's been decided yet
)
but I think she said that was only the second live performance ever. I
can't even describe how wonderful this song is. I don't doubt that
everyone will have the opportunity to hear this song on the radio in the
next year. It's that good. I video taped almost the whole performance. I
ran out of tape for the last 3 songs. I can guarantee I'll be ripping
the audio out of that video and listening to it a lot!
Thanks Chely for an AWESOME show! It was really nice to have a chance to
unwind here. Sarge
***************************************************************
As
the mom of a Air Guard guy posted overseas, I wanted to thank you for
putting on a dynamite performance for his unit. He and his unit really
appreciated your music and wonderful stage presence, plus your
willingness to lift their morale for a while! I'll bet your mom is
really proud of you for giving your gift to these folks too.
Cookies and movies and books help the long days, but you've shown
another form of caring and sharing, that really matters too.
Mother to Air Guard
***************************************************************
My
husband attended the concert tonight (9/15) from his post in Kuwait.
You would not believe what an impression this made on him. He said
it was the first time in almost a year that he was totally relaxed
and able to think about something other than what's going on. Thank
you for what you are doing!
Wife of a soldier......
***************************************************************
I am hoping that you may pass this along to Ms Wright.
I want to
thank her for coming out here to Baghdad and sing for the troops
out here. While this is not Fallujah
or Najaf, it is still a place where we
get shelled occasionally and for her to risk her own personal
safety to come here says a lot about her character. Thanks
Richard H.Walser
LTC IN ARARNG
***************************************************************
Just wanted to take a moment to
thank you all for coming to our hospital. I know I enjoyed having
you all here to visit the staff, wounded soldiers and take the
time for some pics.
Chely's visit was a breath of fresh air in the hospital. The
wounded soldiers really enjoyed her visit. My soldiers and I have
been here since January and Chely is the first entertainer that we
have had here and in the International zone as stated above. Yeah,
it is cool to have visiting Generals and all here, but having
Chely here was so much nicer. Only because for the brief time she
was here, mentally, we could take a break.
Being a fan of Chely's for a while now, it was great to get an
opportunity to get a pic with her. I wish my pic had turned out
better that was taken with her, but hey, when others are taking
pics and there is a crowd, sometimes ya gotta take what ya get.
Unfortunately, being in a hospital, it must run 24/7 and I was
unable to get to the concert. I am sure, just like all of her
music, it was phenomenal! I just heard the song "Bumper of my SUV"
(I think that was the title) on AFN radio. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
I thanked Chely when she was here, but I would like to thank her
and her family again for their past military participation and her
taking the time out of a busy schedule to come and visit us. I
want to also thank the entire crew that came to Iraq with her to
help bring just that extra little bit of joy, fun and excitement
into our lives.
Rest assured, when Chely and crew come to San Antonio, or any
other place I am stationed, my wife and I will be there to see her
perform.
God bless and stay safe in your travels. See y'all back in the USA
soon.
P.S. Thank you Jude and crew for being so awesome and keeping all
of your fans so informed. How cool is this board. - Army Guy
***************************************************************
My name is 1LT
Kevin Lytton and I attended the Chely Wright concert last night
on FOB Summerall. I wanted to thank you for bringing both bands
to the FOB. It has helped remind me of home and give me a break
from the daily grind here. I should have written after the last
concert but I did not take the time. But since I enjoyed Chely
so much I wanted to make sure I took the time. Thank you for the
work you and Stars for Stripes do for those of us in uniform. It
means a great deal to me and others in my unit. Please tell
Chely that she must record the song bumper sticker on my SUV. It
was a very good song and thank you for getting her to play it
for us. Thank you again for the work you have done for us.
***************************************************************
Hi Judy,
I just read your write up about the trip to Kuwait with Chely
Wright. My hubby was one of the MWR guys setting up and tearing
down for the concert. He is also the one that told you that was
the longest autograph line he had seen. He didn't get to see
the concert, but one of the other MWR workers got an autograph
for him. Neither one of us even realized it until he told me
they had had a concert there, so I went online to see who Chely
Wright was (I have to admit, I didn't know). I saw the link to
Stars for Stripes and read your write up on it. When I talked
to my hubby on the phone I read him the write up, and he said
"That's me!" when I came to that part. So, it was neat to "kinda"
see his name in the article! Thanks.
Leah Walker
***************************************************************
Dear Rush,
My husband and I are long-time listeners. Thanks to you and
some others, the liberal media can no longer fling their
poison arrows at Republicans and Conservatives without
rebuttal.
There is someone who is fighting to make a difference that I think you should interview, Chely Wright, the country music star. She is currently in Iraq entertaining the troops and assuring them how much we all appreciate what they are doing for us. As typical with much of the news media, Chely's trips to see our troops have not gotten any coverage. During her trips, she takes down email addresses and phone numbers of military families and contacts them when she comes home. She was the first female to perform in Iraq, but her name wasn't mentioned, the media concentrated on Wayne Newton and Kid Rock. She serves on the Board of Directors of Stars for Stripes, if you would like to visit the web site, it will furnish background info for you by searching Judy Seale International. Chely has also spent time visited the wounded in our military hospitals here stateside.
Chely's brother is a Marine and served aboard a helicopter in Iraq. She performed a song for the troops that she had written about a true incident concerning she and her suv. Evidentally someone passed her and flipped her the bird because of the Marine bumper sticker on her vehicle. (Chely's family has several generations of service to our country, her father was in the Navy, and her grandfather was in the Army.)
A military member contacted the Fan Club president to tell of the song that she performed in Iraq this week, saying that the concert audience was so quiet you could hear a pin drop during the song, and afterwards she received 2 standing ovations.
Rush, I know how busy you are, but I really think that this story needs to be covered. All country music stars aren't the mindless twits that the chicks are. Some are proudly patriotic and do what they can to support the troops without staging publicity stunts.
Thanks for
your time and what you do.
Sincerely, Susan Holtgrew
***************************************************************
Dear Bill,
I listen to your show, while I don't always agree with you,
you certainly are thought provoking, and do air slants that
don't always hit the main media and do need to be brought to
people's attention.
I do feel that there is someone that you need to interview--country music star Chely Wright. Chely is currently entertaining our troops in Iraq and a soldier that was in her audience last week contacted her fan club president to voice his appreciation of her entertainment, but also to relay the following incident.
It seems that awhile back someone passed Miss Wright in her suv with its Marine bumpersticker, and flipped her the "bird" because of the sticker. She wrote a poem about it, later set the same to music. She performed it for the troops this week; the soldier said that the audience was absolutely silent as they listened to her. Afterwards, they gave her 2 standing ovations.
Miss Wright comes from a long line of military service to our country, her brother is a Marine and served in Iraq, her father was in the Navy, and her grandfather was in the Army.
Chely Wright has been quietly entertaining our troops for some time now, serves on the Board of Directors for Stars for Stripes (search Judy Seal International), but the news media has never covered any of her good will. Besides overseas, she has visited our military hospitals stateside with a compassion and connection seldom seen, as well as contacted family members via email and phone calls when she returns home conveying greetings from their military family members.
I do think it is important to let American citizens know that the Michael Moores, the Alec Baldwins, the Sean Penns, and the Dixie Chicks are not the norm.
Thanks for your
time,
Susan Holtgrew
***************************************************************
Hi
Chely, I
wanted to personally thank you and your crew for the incredible
gift of joy you brought to the International Zone. I thought
you would like to hear some of the feedback I have heard!
“Best thing to come down the pike since I have been here”. “Chely
will have more fans after this concert for sure!” “It was a
great party last night”. “She interacts with the audience so
well”. “I had more fun than I though I would. The song about
the poem she wrote, made a tear come
to my eye.” Chely-this man is a Col
who has been in the Air Force for 33 years and you made him
cry! People have been asking me for pictures so they will be
posted to the web.
The story behind your flowers—A local
man from Capt Steve Piekarcyzk office with one leg, brought the
flowers in from the Red Zone. It took him 2 hours to get the
fresh flowers through the gate because no one could understand
why he would bring flowers. The man was on crutches. I put the
flowers in water in my plastic trash can, (so Martha Stewart),
and took them into Protocol. The ladies went nuts to see fresh
flowers so I passed on your blessings.
Chely,
You are a true American and patriot!
I salute you!
***************************************************************
Hi! The
neighbors have been wild if you have watched the news in between
weather reports! We had a really good Stars for Stripes tour
here on Sat that brought Chely Wright and her country western
band to play at the palace. The stage was set up in the back of
the palace by the pool so you could almost pretend you were back
in the states except for the mortar safety briefing before the
concert started! This woman has incredible dedication to the
troops. Chely’s brother is a Marine and this is her way of
giving back. It was also the AF 57th birthday which
was part of the big night. The neighbors let us enjoy the
evening without being attacked! I helped plan the concert which
is why I look a little tired and hot!
Chely has touched so many people in reminding of us normal life
is waiting for us when we come home. For me, it will be
sometime in mid-Oct. As the elections get closer, the attacks
increase so I will be glad to come home. A little good news
from Baghdad. Make it a great day!
Love, Cindi
Thank-you for bringing Chely
and all the other acts that you bring to all of us that are deployed. I would
love to see more country acts. I normally probably would not have sent a
thank-you but for some reason something about Chely's personality and her lyrics
touched me in a way that no other music has. She reminded me a lot of my wife,
especially the song about the shoe box, only my wife's is a mini-trunk with a
lock!!!! Anyway, Once again, THANK YOU!!!! I mean that with all my heart. Keep
doing what you are doing, it helps remind us that people really do appreciate
what we are doing out here!
Thank You,
Jeff
***************************************************************
Hey Judy, Laura just called and she said she got to meet you guys. That was a
special thing you did for us. Everyone was jealous because you had a
picture taken with you. She wants me to e-mail the picture to her when I
get it so they can put it in their year book. Things are really bad right
now over there and she has been pretty depressed. So I know ya'll picked
her spirits up. God Bless, Dennis Abernathy.
***************************************************************
Hi Judy,
Just wanted
to thank you for all you are doing for our troops. I have a few family
members and friends who have been, are in , or are going to Iraq. I am also a
huge Chely Wright fan so I am loving your road kill reports. They are
wonderful.
I have received a few emails from guys over there and they can't say enough
about how great Chely was to them and how much it means that someone let them
escape from the mental stress for a few hours. I am sure you know that
already.
A big thanks to you and your organization,
Patti Weissinger
***************************************************************
Judy,
Thank you again for all that you do for us. You will always will have a
special place in our hearts. I can't even begin to understand the time it must
take and the hard work that goes along with what you do. Again, a sincere
thank you and wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
CW3 Patrick J. McGurk
UH60 Instructor Pilot
A Company, 2-227 Avn Regt
"Werewolves"
***************************************************************
Dear Judy,
Thank you so much for everything you do for all our troops all over the
world. You bring a little bit of home to all of them. This is Craig, I spoke
with you after Chely’s show in Annapolis, Maryland. You where telling me
about your visit to Walter Reed and Bethesda, MD. Your “Road Kill” reports
are so great to read, thanks so much for taking the time to do that.
It means so much to us to know what is going on and it just so neat to read
the stories as your write them, you got a great view on things. Just reading
the most recent stories from Iraq/Kuwait gives us an inside look of what is
really going on. Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Thanks Again,
Craig Barnhart
***************************************************************
Jude,
I always look forward to reading your next exciting episode. You do a great
job filling us in on the happenings with all of you over there. Our military
men and women certainly need a break from their daily stresses, and Chely
and her band and staff are there to provide that relief. I also enjoyed the
story of you and Chely handing out toys and interacting with the children.
They so very much need some stability, love, and comfort in their lives.
These thoughtful acts need to be reported on the news. With the exception of
one or two stations, much news seems to focus on what's going wrong, when
there is so much good happening there as well.
The hairdryer story was a gem. You certainly wouldn't have to worry about me
borrowing your dryer with all the long hair I have.
Give our best to the military, Chely, and her band. You are all doing a
wonderful job. And thanks, Chuck, for sharing this with the Team.
Our prayers are with all of you.
The Birdman
John
***************************************************************
Jude! I
communicated with you a while back - I have been so excited to read your
Road Kill reports about all the adventures you & Chely & the guys are
going through! Thanks SO MUCH for making this happen for our troops - and
for Chely. I can't think of a better artist to perform for those in
Iraq! You're great! I hope we get to meet in person some day!
Patti Peterson
***************************************************************
How are you? I'm still
healing but a hellava lot better since we had such a great time at the concert!!
I was just curious if you could e-mail me some of the pictures you took of Chely
and I on the back of my Stryker at camp cooke? None of mine turned out and I'd
hate to have the only {good} memorable moment of Iraq lost.
Just so ya know this is the Gunner writing, and you don't even know how our
spirits jump. Still two days later morale is still pretty high and nobody can
believe Chely actually signed my Stryker. I thank you and just wanted to let you
know your doing a wonderful thing for the people who serve for our country.
Thank you,
JIM
***************************************************************
Dear Miss Wright,
Thank you so much for performing for us here at Camp Anacoda, Iraq! The Marines
here still talk about your "Bumper" song. Please release it soon! I am sorry I
missed you last year, I was only 7 miles away. I don't think anyone realizes
that you put your life on the line for us to perform here. Even when you visited
the Childern in Iraq. You went through IED Alley to see them! You are a True
American! GOD BLESS YOU!!
Sincerly,
Sean
P.S. I hope you liked the Blue Prints. It was all I had to give you.
***************************************************************
Dear Miss Wright,
Thank you for making a Soldier's last day on earth a little more enjoyable. Last
year it was my job to ride around Iraq doing site surveys. We had Toby Keith's
Brand new CD. When my team passed through a sentry post almost every one of them
asked us to stop so they could hear Mr. Keith's latest patriotic song. I am
saddened to say three times we were the last few people to pass through that
post before the sentries were killed. I sent my CD back to Mr. Keith so he would
know his songs brought joy to a few soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I
still remember how happy those guys were to hear music from people supporting
them. They were very proud.
You too made us proud here. I saw it in everyone's eyes as did you. You waited
for hours to greet us and sign autographs for us. Yes, you were the last
entertainer some of us ever saw. That is part of the Price of Freedom. Just
remember the Fun you gave us and the Fun we had together. Please do not dwell on
the bad. I tell my men a boat leaves a wake as it passes through the water. Look
back at your wake. Did you leave the people in your wake better or worse by your
passing? I can say first hand we are better because of your passing through here
in Iraq. I can not possibly Thank You enough for giving us your time. Just
remember the good times you gave us. Even for just a few hours you made our day.
Okay you made my year but that is beside the point.
Miss Wright, Thank You from the bottom of my heart. You did what few have done.
You put your life on the line to give the troops a good time and bring us a
little joy. Guess what, I worked! We had fun. THANKS!
Sincerely,
Sean
***************************************************************
Wow!!!! That's very humbling. Tell your mom
and her crew that I said "Thank you" for all that they do for our soldiers.
There are so many people out there in this war we are fighting that are
unsung hero's. She may not be carrying a gun, but she is marching bravely
into battle, and what she is doing for our soldiers spirits give them the
strength to continue to fight for all of our freedom. I admire and respect
that. She is making a difference in this war and I hope she realizes it.
Kelly
**************************************************************
I don't know
if Chely will ever get this message but at least I praised her for her great
kindness....
my story...my dh is stationed in Iraq and he had the great honors to escort
Chely during her visit. U don't know how much joy he has now from this visit.
As he quoted in a telephone conversation to me a day after her departure "it
was the greatest day I have has since being deployed" Its' been hard over
there and its been hard here on the home front thank goodness this deployment
is almost over but having Chely doing this tour over there has blessed so many
troops.
I was the non-country music fan
at your performance for the Air Force Birthday in Baghdad. You had me come up
to explain what kind of music I prefer.
First of all I want to thank you
for coming up and taking your time to show your support for us. It means a
lot to us for entertainers to come and give us the opportunity to have a good
evening in spite of where we are.
I did find your music very good,
irrespective of my prior ignorance of country music. I especially liked the
song that was about Marine bumper sticker on your SUV. I will look for that
song to come out on CD (yes, I plan on buying country music).
Thank you very much,
Rob
Chely I can't thank u enough for giving my husband a boost of moral..he sure
needed it. Wife of a soldier.
***************************************************************
Jude –
It was great to finally
meet you, and Chely’s concert was fantastic. People talked about it for days
afterwards. She really related well to the troops, and her sincere concern
really showed. I will be leaving here this week, going to Kuwait for a few
days, and then back to Fort Bragg, hoping to arrive back in Nashville around
Oct. 20 or so. I hope to reconnect with you there. Thanks for bringing Chely
over to us – it was really delightful! Martha
***************************************************************
I would like
to say Thank You for going to Iraq to entertain the troops. I had an e-mail
from my son, CW3 Patrick McGurk saying how great it was to have someone take
the time to come to Iraq to give them a "piece of home." My youngest son
recently arrived home safely from Afghanistan. While he was there, many
entertainers went to Afghanistan, but his unit never got the chance to see
them due to being in dangerous forwarding bases. Thanks from the bottom of my
heart. God Bless America.
Sincerely, Mrs. Beth McGurk
A Military Mom
***************************************************************
I sincerely want to say thank you to Chely Wright and Stars for Stripes for
bringing a piece of home to those of us here in Iraq. We don't normally have
the luxury to take time out or our mind off of the job at hand. When Ms.
Wright began to sing, the few hundred of us gathered around the stage at Camp
Cooke did just that. For a brief moment, we were not in Iraq. With her songs
she helped us forget about where we were for a little while and she showed us
the real meaning of patriotism by even coming here to Iraq knowing the level
of risk involved. I will always be grateful to Chely and to all the
entertainers that support organizations like this. Their selflessness allows
the servicemen and servicewomen of the armed forces to take a break from
reality, even only if its for a little while. Sincerely,
CW3 Patrick J. McGurk
Camp Cooke, Iraq.
***************************************************************
My wife is in the National Guard serving in Iraq. Her name is Laura M.
Abernathy. We have two year old twins. She left in February 2004 and won't be
home until sometime next Spring. We miss her terribly.
Dennis Abernathy
USAF
***************************************************************
I wanted to say thank you for everything. I recently had the pleasure to
see Chely Wright and her band play here at Camp Anaconda, it was awesome. I'm
going to be here through Christmas and hope to have the pleasure in seeing
more artists performing for us. We appreciate all you do, thanks again.
John C. Phillips
Army
***************************************************************
My husband is currently serving his 2nd tour in Iraq as are many of our other
troops over there and even some of them are on their 3rd tour by now. Being a
veteran myself I know for a fact that they all appreciate all of the shows
that are held over there. It brings a little piece of home to them and helps
to take their mind off of things over there even for an hour or so. I think
most of the troops over there will tell you it doesn't matter if it is rock,
or country or hip-hop, as long as it is music and the "artists" are there to
support the troops, it makes them very happy and proud to be doing what they
are doing knowing that they are supported by the American people of all walks
of life from the celebrities to the families to the every day citizen who just
loves America.
I have two requests. I have heard of many celebrities going to Iraq over the
past year or so, but however, they are skipping the smaller bases. Places
like Al Taqqaddum Air Base. Those troops there would love to have a visit
from one of their favorite artists. There are troops all over Iraq not just
in Baghdad or Al Asad, they are everywhere. Please try to make an effort to
get to as many of them as you can.
On a personal note, I know that my husband would love to see Kenny Chesney,
Gretchen Wilson, and Charlie Daniels come to Al Taqqaddum.
Thank you all, from the planners to the artists themselves!! Thank you so
very much for bringing a little good and happiness to our troops who are
working so hard to secure the freedom of Iraq, and keep our own country safe
from terrorism. - Sheila Hampshire, Military Wife, USMC
***************************************************************
Chely,
***************************************************************
First I want to thank Chely
Wright for performing for us at LSA Anaconda Iraq. I really enjoyed hearing
her perform last month. Also when I was in Kuwait I had the opportunity of
escorting her around when she performed at the largest USO show ever in Kuwait
in June of 2003. Chely is a great performer and I look forward to seeing her
in concert again. Thanks for bringing a part of the US over here to us and
thanks to stars for stripes for any and future shows that I will be able to
see over the next few months until I go home for good.
Sincerely
SSG Eugene Bell
***************************************************************
My brother is Joshua Justice Henry he served in Iraq and I wanted to thank you
for having him on this site.
Jasmine
***************************************************************
***************************************************************
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