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Toby Keith Brings Country Music to Iraq

By Spc. Aaron Rosencrans

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - World-renowned country music star, Toby Keith, brought a big taste of home to Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen during a concert at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange Stage April 26.

Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers, along with their fellow service members from every corner of the Victory Base Complex, filled the Liberty PX courtyard to watch Keith perform during his sixth trip to Iraq.

Part of the reason Keith has visited deployed service members so frequently is because of his love for the service members and the American way of life.

Toby Keith (right) and Rich Eckhardt jam out together during a concert for service members at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange Stage here April 26 during Keith's sixth United Services Organizations tour. He is visiting military installations throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. "We like to come over here and say thank you to the troops," Keith said. "We hope the music we bring takes everybody's mind off of what they're doing for a couple hours and lets them enjoy life the way free Americans are supposed to enjoy it."

"We like to come over here and say thank you to the troops," Keith said. "We hope the music we bring takes everybody's mind off of what they're doing for a couple hours and lets them enjoy life the way free Americans are supposed to enjoy it."

Soldiers seemed overjoyed to have the country great perform for them in the combat zone.

Sgt. Steven Haught, a native of Hillsborough, N.H., who serves as a forward observer with Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, repeatedly thanked the United Services Organizations for bringing Keith here.

Toby Keith performs for service members at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange Stage here April 26 during his sixth United Services Organizations tour. "We like to come over here and say thank you to the troops," Keith said. "We hope the music we bring takes everybody's mind off of what they're doing for a couple hours and lets them enjoy life the way free Americans are supposed to enjoy it."

"Toby Keith is the bomb - he rules," Haught said. "USO, you're the best for bringing Toby Keith to Liberty. "These concerts give us something to look forward to and it's good for us."

One Soldier's excitement for the concert brought him to the stage more than 12 hours before the concert even started just so he could have a good spot to watch Keith in action.

"I've been waiting since about 7:30 this morning," said Warrant Officer Brad Carpenter, a native of Opelika, Ala., who serves as the brigade communications technician with Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 62nd Medical Brigade, Multi-National Corps - Iraq. "I'm a big patriot and I love our country. Toby Keith is like an idol. He's the biggest country singer and patriot I know, so I'm honored to be here for my first concert ever."

Toby Keith performs for service members at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange Stage here April 26 during his sixth United Services Organizations tour. "We like to come over here and say thank you to the troops," Keith said. "We hope the music we bring takes everybody's mind off of what they're doing for a couple hours and lets them enjoy life the way free Americans are supposed to enjoy it."

Keith's father served his country as a Soldier, so he has felt a deep connection to service members and veterans from an early age.

"My father was a Soldier, so he instilled in us three kids, at a young age, to respect veterans and how important the military is to free people," Keith said. "(These concerts) are pretty much a tribute to him."

Soldiers were drawn into the music and sang along with the band as Keith sang some of his hits like "Whiskey Girl" and "American Soldier."

Before the concert, Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers lined the hallway at the division's headquarters building for the opportunity to shake Keith's hand and have their picture taken with him.

Keith said he wanted to make sure all service members know they are supported back home and to keep driving forward here.

"Godspeed, you're doing a great job," said Keith. "America is behind you - and don't listen to the morons. There's 10 percent of the right wingers and the left wingers who make all the racket. Don't listen to none of them; it's no good for you. Just keep doing your job at hand and Godspeed to you. You're doing a hell of a job."