NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Stars for Stripes/ USAREUR MWR) -
Chely Wright returned last week from a 10-day junket overseas as part of a Stars for Stripes/USAREUR MWR musical event. In the first leg of the official Stars For Stripes 2007 Tour Schedule, Wright visited military camps in Kuwait and Iraq, and a battalion near Frankfurt, Germany, to perform for the troops.
A devoted supporter of our nation's troops, this is a 'return' trip to Iraq for Wright. Chely has visited and performed in 14 different Stars for Stripes shows at bases in Iraq (2004), Germany and Afghanistan (2005), and Holland and Germany in 2006. She has also participated in military tours in Korea and Japan.
Her charge to support our military is personal and close to home. She, herself, comes from a military family. "My grandfather served in the Army during World War II,' Chely introduced. 'My father was in the Navy during Vietnam and my brother is currently an active duty U.S. Marine," said Wright. "Aside from the fact that I have a military history, I am just one of those Americans who is extremely thankful for the sacrifice of our service men and women. These individuals are my brothers and sisters and I just feel like supporting our military overseas is part of my personal duty.'
To demonstrate her continued support, Chely embarked on this, her fifth Stars for Stripes expedition on February 24, 2007 making her first stop at Camp Buehring—a camp that is the 'last stop' for the troops before they enter Iraq for deployment.
Traveling from base to base in a variety of military aircrafts, under improvised circumstances and unexpected schedule changes, Chely's journey took her to meet and perform in front of thousands of men and women in uniform.
February 26: Chely arrived at Camp Buehring, Kuwait where she performed for more than 1,000 U.S. Army Central service members representing every branch of the military. Camp Buehring is a "transitional" base which is the last stop for the military before they go into Iraq to serve.
February 27: Chely flew from Kuwait to Iraq on a C-130 aircraft. Upon arrival, she participated in two autograph sessions at military camps nearby the Baghdad International Airport (Camp Slayer and Camp Liberty).
February 28: Chely boarded a Black Hawk helicopter and flew from Baghdad International Airport to the International Zone (formerly known as the Green Zone) where she visited with the service members of Camp Prosperity. Returning to Camp Victory, Chely and her musicians were treated to a special tour of the Al Faw Palace and a one-on-one meeting with Lt. General Ray Odierno. The Three-star General presented everyone in the group with plaques of appreciation and coins but the most poignant moment came when the General spoke of his first meeting with Chely. Several years ago, Chely was touring Walter Reed and Bethesda with Stars for Stripes. General Odierno and his wife were visiting their young son who had just been injured in Iraq. The General reminded Chely that she was the first civilian that his son spoke too since the amputation of his arm. He brought tears to everyone's eyes when he said, 'For that, you will always be one of my favorite people and I will be forever grateful to you.' Chely performed later that evening at Camp Victory [which is in the Baghdad International Airport vicinity].
March 1: Chely boarded a C-130 flight scheduled to arrive in Tallil (located near An Nasiriyah near the Kuwait/Iraq border) but inclement weather made it impossible to land. The flight was diverted to Balad Air Base located north of Baghdad. With the assistance of the U.S. Air Force officials, Chely and the entire crew put together a last-minute show in less than two hours. Chely performed in a venue that was formerly one of Saddam's movie theatres (now converted into a movie theatre for the military) for over 900 service people. She visited with the service members and signed autographs for more than three hours.
March 2: The flight detour made it necessary for Chely and the group to 'hitch' a ride to their next destination- Camp Speicher located near Tikrit. Chely flew on a Sherpa (a 'box-shaped' propeller plane). The small plane made two trips-one to transport Chely and the band, the other to transport their equipment. Chely performed that evening at Camp Speicher.
March 3: Chely departed Camp Speicher again on a C-130 to fly to Al Asad Air Base (primarily a Marine/Naval base—Fighting Marines and Sailors of Second Marine Aircraft Wing) where she would perform her final show of the tour in Iraq. Chely signed autographs and met with the troops after her show in a three-hour session until the last person was met with a handshake and a hug. In a special appreciation ceremony in his office, Brigadier General, U.S. Marine Corps Commanding General Timothy C. Hanifen presented Chely a plaque in recognition of her marked courage and undying support.
March 4: [A Travel Day] Chely and her crew boarded a C-130 Marine flight and flew from Al Asad back to Kuwait.
March 5: Chely traveled from Kuwait to Frankfurt with the personal mission (separate from the tour schedule) to make a quick stopover at Ray Barracks just outside of Frankfurt.
March 6: 'Thank You' Concert for Ready First Combat Team in Ray Barracks, Germany. Chely closed the tour with a performance for the "Ready First Combat Team". This battalion of 3,900 troops were deployed for thirteen months to the Ramadi area and had just returned to their home base at Ray Barracks. In their honor, Chely stopped by to perform in a special impromptu 'Thank You Concert' for the 1st Armored Division Soldiers and their families.
"I'm thankful and really appreciative that we have the opportunity to fly around the world on airplanes, ride in tour buses and get on stage and do what we love to do, and people clap for us when we do our jobs," said Wright. "People don't often clap for you folks, so we are here to say, 'thank you. '"
Over and over again, heartfelt tears of gratitude and standing ovations followed Chely's performances. Her single 'The Bumper of My S.U.V.' (The No. 1 selling single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Sales Chart—2004) continues to be an emotional audience favorite leaving not a dry eye in the house.
Chely returned to the states last Wednesday (March 7).
'Every time I make this trip as part of the Stars For Stripes Tour, it's difficult for me to leave. I can see the genuine appreciation in each and every one of their eyes,' said Wright. '…And as long as they are there; as long as there are boots on the ground and boots in the air, I will continue to go back.'
Chely returns to the studio in April to begin work on her seventh album with Rodney Crowell who will produce the project.
