Toby Keith Sings Duet With Former POW

AP ^ | 05/10/03 | ROXANA HEGEMAN

[Pokey78]

VALLEY CENTER, Kan. (AP) -- Former prisoner of war Pfc. Patrick Miller got a huge surprise at a parade and rally in his honor Saturday - courtesy of country star Toby Keith.

Miller, who enjoyed irritating his Iraqi captors by singing Keith's "Courtesy of the Red White & Blue," was reluctantly persuaded to strike up the tune with three school buddies during the homecoming in his childhood hometown.

They were cut off by Bobby Massey, pastor of Valley Center Assembly of God, who told them, "I think it would be better if we got someone who knows how to sing it."

Then Miller watched incredulously as Keith emerged from the crowd and strode up to the platform to sing the popular song. The crowd roared whenever Keith stepped back and let Miller sing a few choice lines in the song. Miller blinked back tears.

Keith said it was an easy decision to make the appearance in the town north of Wichita. "After finding out he was singing the 'Red White and Blue' to the Iraqis - how can you say no?" he said.

Afterward, Keith presented Miller with the guitar he had played.

Keith quickly left after playing the song, telling reporters later he did not want to take the spotlight away from Miller. He later joined the soldier for a private lunch.

Miller was one of seven soldiers rescued April 13 when Iraqi forces abandoned their posts ahead of advancing American troops. At the rally, he asked the crowd of roughly 2,000 to keep thinking of the troops still in Iraq.

"We still have people fighting, people are still going over there," he said. "Some will come home, some might not come home. We don't know yet. So please keep them in your thoughts," he said.

[annyokie]

What a great story! Thank you!

[sheik yerbouty]

Outstanding!

[snippy_about_it]

Very cool!

[DeaconBenjamin]

God bless him. God bless them both.

[thumblesswonder]

Kudos to Keith. I've never thought him the best singer in the world but his heart - and his politics - are in the right place. He's performing at the NRA convention this year! It's probably safe to say the dude is a Republican.

[MEG33]

I love this.Happy ,happy homecoming,soldier.

[tet68]

Afterward, Keith presented Miller with the guitar he had played.

Keith quickly left after playing the song, telling reporters later he did not want to take the spotlight away from Miller. He later joined the soldier for a private lunch.



Country Class or what!

Not like.....those unnamed others.

[ozaukeemom]

I was thinking the exact same thing. I have always liked Toby Keith. Now, I know why!

[snippy_about_it]

ping for you.

[Tax-chick]

I've never thought him the best singer in the world

Me either, but he's a great songwriter, a terrific person, and awfully cute! And not a bad vocalist, of his type. Everyone can't be Placido.

[cubreporter]

Absolutely a heartwarming story. And kudos for Pfc Miller to have the courage to taunt his captors with Courtesy of the Red White and Blue. Could have been really bad for him. Thank God for happy endings and thank God for people like Toby Keith who know when to appear and when to disappear and then have a private time with the person they are there for. Class unending.

[Catspaw]

I have this HUGE smile on my face--Toby Keith, what a classy guy! I wish I could've seen Pcf. Miller's face when Keith walked up out of the crowd!

[Joe Boucher]

Doesn't matter if you like his singing or not, Mr. Keith appears to be a class act, And
GOD bless each and every one of our soldiers and bring them home safely to their loved ones.

[TxBec]

Ping.

[SamAdams76]

Too cool!

Saw Toby Keith in Concert in August of 2001 - just before 9/11. He was opening for Brooks & Dunn (another great American recording act). I will definitely be buying tickets for his next show in town.

[NEBO]

I may never have the extreme honor of meeting Patrick Miller face to face, but I would love to have been there to see and hear this. When I saw Patrick and the other POWs it was like seeing an answer to my prayers, a big resounding YES to my prayers! I wore my cross necklace to remind me to pray for the POWs, for their safe return home.

This was just like when our friend Amy at age 22 was in a terrible car wreck. She had extensive head injuries. My husband and her other co-workers took turns taking her to Houston for therapy. She had to relearn EVERYTHING from walking to talking to shopping to driving. She is a chemical engineer so she had a LOT to relearn.

After her treatment, recovery, therapy, I watched her walked up to a company BBQ.... I still remember saying it isn't every day you get to SEE AN ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS. She made a full recovery!

That is the SAME feeling I had when I saw our POWs leaving to come home, then touching home again. I am so humbled by their service. Thank you GOD for the recovery of our dear beloved friend Amy, and thank you GOD for the recovery of our dear beloved heroes our POWS.

My uncle is still MIA from WWII and I know what a terrible tragedy that has been for our family, never finding him, never knowing.....

Did our family find only sadness, did we give up, did we become bitter? No, my father tried to enlist.....

[Blueflag]

How do you like me now bump

[annyokie]

Love that Toby Keith! "We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American Way."

[bootless]

Wow! I saw Toby and his band (for free) at the Alameda County Fair about 6 years ago or so... hour-long set, worked as hard as if he had filled a 50,000 seat coliseum. Great show. I'd love to see him again.