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.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

A DON'T MISS THIS ONE ping!

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.

How cool is that? Toby Keith is too hip! (And by the way, Pfc. Miller is a seriously brave guy and one hell of an American.)

[TxBec]

I saw him for free in a mall parking lot....(that was REALLY a few years ago.) What a guy!

Justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys
You got to draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
We’ll all meet back at the local saloon
We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing whiskey for my men, beer for my horses

stay away from him, xsmommy, LOL

[HairOfTheDog]

Cool - thanks for the ping!

[isthisnickcool]

We "get it"! Toby Keith "get's it"! Why don't the Dems? The only answer is that they are mentally ill!

[Amelia]

Too cool! Thanks for the ping!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Awesome story... brings a smile to my face.

[sistergoldenhair]

Class act ping.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

You're so welcome guys - I love good news like this.

Forgot to ping Tex! [Hits self in head.] Tex, I think you're going to love this story...

[crazykatz]

I love that song... "beer for my horses".... I laugh everytime I think about it!!

[nothingnew]

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

As a guitar player, that says it all to me. Class with a capital P.

FMCDH

[deport]

Ice..... man...... Ice.....

thanks for the holler

[justshe]

Thanks for the ping, DOAIJV~~~!

GREAT story!

[nothingnew]

Capital C.

It's Saturday nite, my bad....(Giving one of my guitars away would be like giving my first born away...)

FMCDH

[MJY1288]

What a great story, Thanks for posting it

This needs to be shared, pinging a few friends

[Maigrey]

KICK @ss. That's awesome!

[Maigrey]

Pingin' a few of my friends....

[Miss Marple]

Isn't this a great story? I am so glad I read it! God bless Toby Keith and Pfc. Miller!

[MJY1288]

A very great story indeed

[Zestygherkins]

How do you like him now? His debut album "Toby Keith" ('93) is still one of my favorites.

[Miss Marple]

Well, I like him as a person, but I am not a big listener of country music. My taste tends to be classical.

However, I have started listening a bit because I feel like these people should be supported. So, ask me again in about a year!