Country Music Star Giving Back to Troops | Video

Amy Fox | 7/26/2012

Today was a special day for service men and women at the Minot Air Force Base. Military members and their families lined the front doors of the Base Exchange building to meet country recording artist Chris Young.

"I don`t think in the 4.5 years I was here on base, they ever had anyone famous or anyone like that, like this, come to base and sign autographs or anything like that," said Scott Lilley, Information Protection at Lackland Air Force Base.

They were all waiting in line for an autographed CD, making it a day they will never forget.

"It`s a little break for the men and women who work so hard both in the 5th bomb wing and the 91st missile wing,” said Minot Air Force Base 5th Bomb Wing Command Chief Kevin Jurgella. “I`ll tell you what, they do some exceptional things for our nation and it`s nice to give them a little break to see a superstar."

For Scott Lilley, Young is far from a superstar, he`s a friend. "It was a fun experience. It was a long trip over there. We got to really get to know him on the plane. A lot of times, we got to sit around and talk to him."

In October 2009, Lilley was sent to Afghanistan when he met the country artist for the first time.

“He went over there to perform for the service members. We got to go with him, tag along with him or they tagged along with us.”

Lilley said that giving back to the troops is something Young is passionate about.

"Chris Young loves the service. He loves supporting the service members no matter which branch it is. He`s a huge supporter of the military. He loves them."

It’s a visit that base officials, like Jurgella, hope to build on and begin a tradition.

"Why not? We should get more and more. I mean, I want to introduce everybody to the outstanding men and women here in Minot."

Regardless if they were a country music fan or not, the base will remember this special visit for years to come.

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