Grand Ole Opry honors US military at Salute the Troops event ahead of Memorial Day

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The show that made country music famous honored the men and women who keep America safe at Tuesday night’s military” target=”_blank”>Salute the Troops< invited America’s heroes to join its live show in recognition of military personnel, both past and present. 

Performances came from country favorites such as Cam, Riley Green, The War and Treaty, Jake Hoot, Riders in the Sky, Dailey & Vincent and Craig Morgan.

Dan Rogers, Grand Ole Opry vice president and executive producer, mentioned the Opry’s long history of supporting the U.S. military in an interview with Fox News Digital.

WISCONSIN FATHER-SON DUO THANK AMERICA’S MILITARY HEROES FROM THE ‘BOTTOM OF OUR HEART’

“For years and years, folks in the military have perpetuated the sounds of country music,” he said. 

“And, of course, you’ve heard tributes to our fighting men and women in country music for years. And it’s just important to the Opry, really in every single show we do … to let those folks know they’re appreciated.”

  • Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber walks down the red carpet at grand ole opry Image 1 of 4

    Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber walks down the red carpet with his daughter at the Grand Ole Opry’s Salute the Troops event in Nashville, Tenn., on May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

  • country artists shake vets hands at grand ole opry Image 2 of 4

    ‘The Voice’ winner Jake Hoot, his wife Brittany Hoyt, and country singer Cam shake the hands of military veterans at the Grand Ole Opry’s Salute the Troops event in Nashville on May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

  • vets walk grand ole opry red carpet Image 3 of 4

    U.S. military veterans walk the Grand Ole Opry red carpet at the Salute the Troops event in Nashville on May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

  • vets shake hands of opry talent Image 4 of 4

    Military veterans shake the hands of Grand Ole Opry talent including Jake Hoot, Cam and The War and Treaty at the Salute the Troops event in Nashville, Tenn. May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

Rogers called the show’s timing “perfect,” with Memorial Day just ahead as the Opry takes the opportunity to remember troops currently and previously in harm’s way, as well as those who never made it home.

“The message that I can share on behalf of every artist who takes our stage and every fan who comes through the doors is simple — and that’s a heartfelt ‘thank you,’” he said.

MEMORIAL DAY 2022: FIVE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HOLIDAY

“We, due to their service, get to come [and] enjoy country music every day. And folks from around the world get to come sit in those pews and listen to country music’s most famous show. So, again, it would be a heartfelt ‘thank you.’”

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, a Salute the Troops special guest, told Fox News Digital that veterans like himself remember — every single day — the sacrifice made by those who served, especially in extensive combat.

Military veterans and current service members stand to be honored by the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry's Salute the Troops event in Nashville, Tenn., on May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

Military veterans and current service members stand to be honored by the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry’s Salute the Troops event in Nashville, Tenn., on May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

“Every day is a memorial for those who had the privilege to serve and for those who gave their lives in defense of this great nation,” he said.

The former infantryman and Green Beret also considered it a privilege to be associated with an American institution like the Grand Ole Opry. 

The Salute the Troops event paid tribute to America’s fallen heroes who represent the “courage, character and patriotism of the nation.”

He expressed his excitement for military heroes to be recognized under the Opry House roof.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER 

“Country music is so magical,” Huber said. “It tells a story and in a tempo that people actually listen.”

  • grand ole opry american flag Image 1 of 2

    An American flag waves as Dailey &amp; Vincent perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn, on May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

  • grand ole opry salute the troops Image 2 of 2

    An image of a waving American flag is shown on the Grand Ole Opry stage at the annual Salute the Troops event in Nashville on May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

“The American public doesn’t do very well on the listening perspective, so when you get an artist that can tell a story and people listen — and they reflect upon it and it touches their hearts — it hopefully teaches us to try and be better human beings.”

Army Reserve Command Sgt. Major Andrew Lombardo added that the country music industry has continuously supported U.S. soldiers.

US FLAG-CARRYING ‘OLD GLORY RELAY’ KICKS OFF WITH VETERANS, MILITARY SUPPORTERS

Lombardo, who served with Gen. Huber on his last assignment in Afghanistan, said his purpose in attending the “phenomenal” Salute the Troops event was to pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes who represent the “courage, character and patriotism of the nation.”

  • Command Sgt. Major Andrew Lombardo at grand ole opry Image 1 of 3

    Command Sgt. Major Andrew Lombardo makes a speech alongside Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

  • Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber speaks at the Grand Ole Opry Image 2 of 3

    Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber speaks to the audience at the Grand Ole Opry’s Salute the Troops event. Nashville, Tenn. May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

  • Command Sgt. Major Andrew Lombardo at grand ole opry Image 3 of 3

    Command Sgt. Major Andrew Lombardo is honored by the Grand Ole Opry as a guest speaker at the Salute the Troops event. Nashville, Tenn. May 24, 2022. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

“All the members and veterans and current serving service members that are here tonight carry on that strong legacy of heroism — the service and sacrifice that we service members make in order to ensure our nation’s freedom,” he said.

During the show, Lombardo was honored as a guest speaker. 

Executives with the Grand Ole Opry and the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center presented him with a plaque on stage.

Command Sgt. Major Andrew Lombardo poses with his special recognition plaque alongside Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber and Opry host Kelly Sutton backstage at the Grand Ole Opry's Salute the Troops event. Nashville, Tenn. May 24, 2022. (Grand Ole Opry, photos by Rachael Black)

Command Sgt. Major Andrew Lombardo poses with his special recognition plaque alongside Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber and Opry host Kelly Sutton backstage at the Grand Ole Opry’s Salute the Troops event. Nashville, Tenn. May 24, 2022. (Grand Ole Opry, photos by Rachael Black)

After nearly 40 years of military service and nine separate tours, Gen. Huber continues to give back by serving as MTSU’s Military and Veterans Center’s senior adviser.

In this way, he furthers the work that country music legend Charlie Daniels started.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“We always carry on the legend of Charlie [by] helping our veterans,” he said.

Leave a Reply