Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ USO) Jack Daniel's, in partnership with the USO, will ask Country
Music fans for their autographs as part of the brand's "Toast to the Troops" Card Campaign during this year's CMA
Music Festival. As part of the card collection,
Craig Morgan will make a special appearance on Friday, June 10, encouraging event attendees to write messages of support to the military.
The Toast to the Troops Card Campaign, kicking off during CMA Music Festival and running through Independence Day, calls for supporters to sign personal messages in the form of "toasts" to be included in USO care packages. Cards will be available daily for attendees to write a personal note and sign their autograph at the Jack Daniel's display inside Fan Fair Hall(R). Craig Morgan, a part of the Jack Daniel's/USO Toast to the Troops program since it began, will sign autographs in exchange for fans' notes and signatures on the toast cards beginning Friday, June 10, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Jack Daniel's display inside Fan Fair Hall. Each card will be included in a USO care package sent to military members overseas.
Jack Daniel's established the Toast to the Troops program in 2005, and ten-year Army veteran Craig Morgan has been a part of all 14 Jack Daniel's/USO Toast to the Troops events. He is a recipient of the USO Merit Award and has made nine overseas trips to entertain our U.S. troops. As part of the Toast to the Troops program, Jack Daniel's has hosted 14 care package "stuffing parties" at military installations across the country. More than 150,000 care packages have been sent to service members through the Toast to the Troops program.
"All of us at Jack Daniel's honor and support our nation's military members," said Jennifer Powell, Senior Brand Manager for Jack Daniel's. "We also recognize and sincerely appreciate the sacrifices made by the spouses and families of our servicemen and women. The Toast program is just one way for us to show our gratitude to those who truly deserve it."
Supporters can also visit www.JDToastTheTroops.com beginning June 10 to sign a message to military members which will be included in care packages stuffed during USO/Jack Daniel's Toast to the Troops events on military installations. In addition, the Jack Daniel's Experience will make appearances at various events around the country with collection points for the toast cards.
"I've been honored to be part of the Toast to the Troops program since it began six years ago and it's always inspiring for me to perform for our troops and their families," said Craig Morgan. "I know how much it means to receive a care package out in the field and to know that you are supported. Our troops, their spouses and families sacrifice so much, and I'm glad to get the chance to let them know how much we value their efforts."
One of Country Music's best-loved artists, Morgan has made a name for himself with massive radio airplay of his signature hits: "Bonfire," "Almost Home," "Redneck Yacht Club," "That's What I Love About Sunday" (Billboard's most-played country songs of the year in 2005) and "International Harvester." Craig received one of Country Music's highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. Prior to becoming a Country Music star, Craig Morgan spent more than 10 years of active duty in the Army and additional years in the Army Reserves. Adding to his diverse list of talents, Morgan is also the host of "Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors," the Outdoor Channel's #1 rated Saturday morning hunting show.
"We thank Jack Daniel's for their continued support of the USO and Operation USO Care Package," said Kelli Seely, Senior Vice President of Development for the USO. "A message of support is one of the best ways to let our troops know America is thinking of them. We hope that country music fans and individuals worldwide will take advantage of this opportunity to let our service members know how much they care."
Due to heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages addressed to "Any Service Member." The Operation USO Care Package program is the best way to send a message of encouragement directly to troops and provide a touch of home. The USO has distributed more than two million care packages since the program's inception in 2003. More information on the Operation USO Care Package program and other USO programs can be found at www.uso.org.
