Spirit of America Tour honors Gunfighters

  • Published
  • By Airman Samantha S. DeVries
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  More than 1,200 Gunfighters and family members kicked up their heels here July 31 for a night of free music and entertainment courtesy of country music star Aaron Tippin and the Spirit of America Tour, a non-profit military entertainment service.

Aaron Tippin made his reputation as a country music performer with hits like "Working Man's Ph.D.," "Kiss This," "You've Got to Stand for Something" and "There Ain't Nothing Wrong with the Radio."

While eager fans began arriving, about 25 lucky Gunfighters were selected to meet with Mr. Tippin at the Gunfighter Club prior to the 7 p.m. show.

Mr. Tippin performed nearly two dozen songs from both older albums and a soon-to-be released album. Dressed in a black T-shirt sporting the words, "Ready to Rock," Mr. Tippin opened up the show with the romantic hit "Close as I'll get to loving you" before he unleashed some honky tonk excitement with his hit track "Honky Tonk Superstar."

While performing, Mr. Tippin shared with the crowd several personal stories, including the fact that his own arrival to the world in 1958 was announced over a T-37 Tweet radio to his father who was an Air Force flight instructor. Mr. Tippin also recalled a phone call he received in December 1990 from Linda Hope, Bob Hope's daughter, asking him if he would accompany Bob to Saudi Arabia to perform for the troops supporting Operation Desert Storm.

"The best friends and most wonderful people I've met in my career have been men and women like you - the U.S. military," said Mr. Tippin. "For all of you who have gone in harm's way, I simply want to say welcome home, thank you for my freedom, job well done!"

After the show, Mr. Tippin visited with Gunfighter from the crowd. Some simply said hello and shook the country star's hand while others asked for autographs and had pictures taken with Mr. Tippin.

Robert Rosenthal, the show's founder, separated as a first lieutenant from the New York National Guard 101st Signal Battalion. Also the sole benefactor for the project, Mr. Rosenthal joined Gunfighters to watch the show. After retiring from a successful career in entertainment law, Mr. Rosenthal formed the Spirit of America Tour in response to Sept. 11, 2001.

"After Sept. 11, my wife and I sat down and talked about what we could do," he said. "No one was doing anything for stateside bases, so I said I would."

He and Cathy Gurley, a prominent public relations persona in the country music industry, have put on almost 90 of these free, volunteer-driven shows since the initiative began in 2002. As the latest show wrapped up, Mr. Tippin thanked everyone in the crowd for their military service.

"Don't get down by what you hear in the media and from politicians on television," he said. "I speak with a reasonable amount of authority - because I've been to Iraq and Afghanistan - when I say you all represent the greatest fighting force on the face of the Earth and every patriotic American is truly thankful for what you do."