While I might not always agree with war, I am always a huge supporter of our troops.  These brave young men and women risk their lives so that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have.  And it is amazing to be able to give something back. 

We often take things for granted.  So it is pretty awesome to see artist give their time to entertain our troops.  Last year Rodney Atkins did just that.  He went and visited troops stationed in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

He even shared a special memory with BScene Magazine:

“It was 30 degrees at night with the rain blowing sideways,” Atkins recalled... “You’re waking up at 3 o’clock in the morning, and you have to find a latrine... I had to put my boots on, and I went out, and it’s still raining sideways. I saw a kid out there doing chin-ups and working out – in the freezing, sideways rain, outside at 3 a.m. He’d pick up these 150 [pound] to 200 pound sandbags, carry them on his shoulder, walk 50 yards, drop it, pick it back up, walk it back, drop it, pick it up, walk it back, drop it ... I forgot it was raining and freezing and everything else watching him do that. I went up and talked to him and said, ‘What are you doing Scotty?’ He said, ‘Hey Mr. Atkins!’ I said, ‘That’s my dad. I’m Rodney.’ And we started talking. I said, ‘What are you doing this for? Are you on the clock right now? I don’t know how this scheduling stuff works!’ He answered, ‘No. I just set my alarm sometimes in the middle of the night like this to get some PT in now.’ I said, ‘Why now? It’s freezing and raining out here?’ He said, ‘I try to do it at different times because I never know when I’m going to have to carry one of my brothers or sisters back from the gates of hell.’

“I said, ‘God bless you’ he thanked me. People kept thanking me the whole time I was there, and nobody ever complained. It’s raining and freezing and nobody ever complained. I could go on and on about those guys, but God bless them! Keep them in your prayers.”

What an amazing experience.  It makes you take a step back and be thankful for what you have and especially for young men and women who put their lives on the line daily so that we can live the way we chose.

It is also amazing to have wonderful people like Rodney Atkins.  He took time out to go and entertain these soldiers.  He gave them something to hold onto and something they will remember for the rest of their lives.  We need more people like Mr. Atkins!

Rodney Atkins Live In Amarillo: Thursday April 4th at the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St. , Amarillo. Tickets are $25 Plus Fees; you buy at all Panhandle Ticket Outlet locations or at the Civic Center Box Office.

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