Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | Country Western music star Craig Morgan (center) entertains troops stationed at Camp...... read more read more
By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt
4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston spoke with deployed Soldiers from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and brought top-notch entertainers with him as part of his Hope and Freedom Tour at Camp Taji, Dec. 20.
As part of the tour, Preston was accompanied by country music star Craig Morgan and model Leeann Tweedan to entertain the troops fighting in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom just north of Baghdad.
Before the entertainment began, Preston stopped by the 4th CAB's flight line and talked with Soldiers, who support the MND-B aviation mission, about deployment rotations and growing the Army.
"I spend most of my time traveling, and Soldiers always ask me when the 12-month cycle will end," said Preston to more than 500 Soldiers who, for many, have served on multiple deployments.
Currently, the 4th CAB is serving its third deployment to the region.
"In January 2004, the Army had 482,000 Soldiers," said the Army's 13th sergeant major of the Army. "Today, we have 545,000 Soldiers in the Army. By 2012, we will grow to 48 Brigade Combat Team Army."
In addition to discussing how the Army plans to grow and lessen the burden of multiple deployments on Soldiers and their families, Preston discussed with the "Iron Eagles" about being proud of their accomplishments while serving in Iraq and telling their story.
"Think about what you've done since you've been here in Iraq," he said. "When you go home, talk about your contributions and what your unit has brought to the fight. Be proud of what you have accomplished over here."
"It is your duty to tell the American people your story," he added. "No one can capture the American Soldier story like you."
After speaking with the Fort Hood, Texas,-based Soldiers, Preston made his way to Camp Taji's pavilion, where Tweedan and Morgan entertained the crowd of Soldiers who were waiting for their arrival.
"I just want to say thank you. This is my ninth time to the Middle East," said Tweedan, who expressed her gratitude to the Soldiers and introduced Morgan for the song set. "If it wasn't for the great men and women who serve, we as Americans wouldn't have what we have.
"This is my way to give my time to you and the country," she added, noting her father was a combat vet from the Vietnam War. "You are the best, and this is the greatest Army in the world."
After Tweedan spoke with the crowd, Morgan sang some of the crowd's favorite country songs, to include "Redneck Yacht Club" and "Amazing Grace."
After the 40-minute set was over, Soldiers expressed how much they enjoyed the show while standing in line for autographs.
"I loved the show, and I love Craig Morgan," said Pfc. Layne Sims, mechanic, Company E, 1st Battalion, 4th CAB, from Honolulu. "This is a great morale boost. I found out yesterday about this, and I made sure I had the time off from work. I was really looking forward to it."
"I thought it was awesome, and I listen to him all the time," added Sgt. Kristen Guerrero, heavy equipment operator, 66th Engineer Co., 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th Inf. Div., who hails from West Plains, Mo. During the concert, she sang every Morgan song by heart. "I have every one of his songs on my iPod, and I really enjoyed this concert."
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2008 23:54 |
| Story ID: | 27977 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 149 |
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