Carrie Underwood Performs for Soldiers in Iraq

Photo By Pfc. Susan Blair | Carrie Underwood, 2005 winner of TV series American Idol, dances during a guitar solo while performing for the soldiers deployed to Iraq Dec. 15.  

12.15.2006

Story by Pfc. Susan Blair 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

by Pfc. Susan Blair
2nd BCT PAO

Northern Iraq- Hours before the event began; hundreds of Soldiers were lined up outside the gym anxiously awaiting the start of the concert, an early Christmas present to the troops deployed during the holiday season.

Carrie Underwood, the 2005 winner of the TV series American Idol, came to Iraq and gave a free concert Dec. 15. Over 500 soldiers from multiple units packed into the gym to hear her perform.

Underwood's hour long concert gave the deployed Soldiers a nice morale boost right before the holidays.

"It was a good gift for the troops," said Staff Sgt. Doug Kautz, platoon sergeant, Headquarters Troop, TF 1-73. "Once word got out that she was coming, there was excitement all around."

"It brought a little piece of home to us during the holidays," said 1st Lt. John Clark, Executive Officer for A Troop, Task Force 1-73.

During Underwood's concert she performed a version of Guns'n'Roses, 'Sweet Child of Mine,' which quickly brought the audience to their feet, filling the gym with camera flashes and roars of approval.

"I'm a huge Guns'n'Roses fan," said Pfc. Michael Giraldo, an intelligence analyst from TF 1-73. "She did a great job covering the song! The audience really came alive once she started singing it."

Underwood certainly noticed the energy in the room after she performed.

"You guys have been so appreciative to us tonight," said Underwood to the service members, "but we're the ones who really appreciate everything you do."

At the end of Underwood's concert she stayed and had a meet and greet with the soldiers. She handed out autographed photos as well as took pictures with the troops.

"My wife and daughter are huge fans," said Kautz after meeting Underwood. "This is something that will definitely go in the photo album."

Underwood isn't a stranger when it comes to performing for service members, she's been touring with the United Service Organization throughout the Persian Gulf and she also gave a free concert to 2000 soldiers at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race in May.

"Anyone who shows respect and takes the time to perform for troops certainly gets a lot of respect in return," said Clark.

• Date Taken: 12.15.2006
• Date Posted: 12.17.2006 13:18
• Story ID: 8593