By Army Sgt. Angela Lorden
Country music star Trace Adkins visited troops and performed a USO concert to show his support for the United States military at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 8.
“I hope for a minute that folks can just smile and have a good time,” Adkins said. “Maybe we give them a little taste of home.”
Adkins spent time with military personnel answering questions, signing autographs and posing for photographs. Hundreds of service members and civilians sang and danced along with his music during the concert he performed at the end of the day.
“He’s one of my favorite country singers,” said Spc. Brandon Spicer, a Memphis, New York, native with Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. “I’ve been listening to him since I was young.”
The USO was founded on the idea of supporting military members by helping them maintain connections with the people, places and activities they love, no matter where they are stationed in the world. Celebrities like Adkins have helped the USO accomplish this mission since its inception in 1941.
“This is the 75th anniversary for the USO,” Adkins said. “I think it’s just been immeasurable the contribution that the USO [has] made to the morale of soldiers in theater.”
Country music star Trace Adkins poses with a soldier at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in 2016.
Adkins has participated in 11 USO tours since 2002.
“I wish more people would do it,” Adkins said. “For me, personally, it’s just an opportunity to say thank you and that I support what you guys are doing. It’s as simple as that.”
Adkins performed concerts in the U.S. Army Central areas of operation like Bahrain and Kuwait. He is scheduled to continue his tour visiting deployed Servicemembers who support contingency operations.
“As long as people are deployed and the USO wants us to go, we’ll go.”
Every day, America’s service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.
