The world has enjoyed the talents and fame brought by celebrities and many have grown to be very rich. It has been a well-known trend among celebrities for them to give back to the society. Below is a list of the 10 celebrities who have spared their precious time to devote their influence, gratitude and talents to the service members of our country United States.
Jon Stewart
Known for frequently putting the politicians on a comical hot seat, the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show has over the years shown massive support towards the U.S. military. Stewart teamed up with his staff and initiated an internship program at The Daily Show. The internship helps veterans start a career in the media and television business and lasts for 5-weeks: entailing weekly evening class. The program organizes a career fair that so far has helped veterans get jobs in the very industry. Steward has encouraged other media cooperation to embrace the same internship so as to help more veterans. Apart from that he went for a comedy tour of the bases that are in Afghanistan. Steward also paid a visit to the wounded soldiers who were in hospitals.
Gary Sinise
This Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner, and also a nominee in the Academy Award is known for his famous roles in the TV series CSI: NY, Forest Gump, Truman. Sinise has also appeared and acted on many other television and film stories in his acting career. However, he is more known for his acts and commitment towards the US military. Sinise has been advocating for service members for more than 30 years. He even has a band known as Lt. Dan Band, which performs around 50 shows annually in charities, fundraisings and military bases to get funds to support soldiers, wounded soldiers, veterans and the Gold Star families and veterans. He is also the current spokesperson for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Foundation and Disabled American Veterans. He started a foundation in 2011 known as the Gary Sinise Foundation and came up with other additional programs that partner with other organizations like the Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.), Relief + Resiliency Outreach, Serving Heroes and Invincible Spirit Festival.
Carrie Underwood
Underwood is a country music sensational superstar and has won many awards. She has performed around the world for many US military service members. She has been to Iraq and Kuwait on a tour with the USO, and performed at military bases during the special Concert for Valor which happened on the Veterans Day 2016. Her song “See You Again,” is a special song to one military family, after the father who was deployed died before him and his family could attend the show. Underwood visited the family after hearing the tragic story. She has also performed at the ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops and it was during that performance that she debuted her song “Keep Us Safe,” The song was co-written as a tribute and gratitude to the service members for their work.
Bradley Cooper
Cooper received an Oscar nomination after playing the role of the late Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle in the famous biographical war film, “American Sniper.” During an interview with PEOPLE Magazine, Cooper described the role as “life-changing” and that it gave him a chance to actually learn about the many struggles that military families go through. When promoting the film Cooper partnered with Chris Kyle’s widow Taya and hosted several screening sessions of the film in a number of veterans’ hospitals. He also got an invite to give a talk at The National Geographic Society as part of the panel for Got Your 6. This is a group that is dedicated to using entertainment to portray the lives of veterans accurately.
Mark Wahlberg
During the 10th annual Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner (May 2015), Wahlberg was honored and awarded the James Gandolfini Award. The award gave honors to the late actor’s impeccable character in service to the military service members and their families. Wahlberg received the recognition for his committed support to the WWP during his entire career in TV commercials, creating awareness for the WWP and also the difficulties faced by the wounded warriors. Wahlberg is also remembered for being a very vocal supporter of the issues affecting veterans when he was promoting his movie “Lone Survivor”, in the movie he played the role of a Navy SEAL.
Kellie Pickler
Pickler the very first person to ever receive the Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle Patriot Award, American Idol top six finalist and country music rock star. Has impressed many by being a great supporter of the US military. The young star still in her early twenties has taken part in eight USO musical tours and is a frequent face in events organized by the USO and Wounded Warrior Project. She has been to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain service members, and even decided to send Valentine’s Day care packages to the female service members at one point. Despite getting the award, Pickler is very humble. The award, was initially known as the Operation Troop Aid Patriot Award, and was started in honor of the late sniper and Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.
KISS and Def Leppard
The founders of Heroes Tour. The two are legendary rock groups. During their three month 2014 tour a dollar from each ticket was distributed among several military organizations like the Hire a Hero and USO. During the tour they also gave jobs to two veterans who acted as roadies as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Capital One’s Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign.
Wayne Newton
An active participant in USO activities, this Las Vegas entertainer and singer is currently the Celebrity Chairman of the USO. Newton has dedicated all his life to advocating for US military performing for the troops and going for many USO trips outside the United States. As the current chairman, he has been encouraging more celebrities to join the USO. Newton has gathered several awards for his tremendous work in the military: “The USO Spirit of Home Award,” The Secretary of the Navy Public Service Award,” The Air Force Scroll of Appreciation,” “The AMVET’s Silver Helmet Award in the Americanism Category,” and he was also named in an honor in the “Honorary Green Beret” back in 1999 at an event in Fort Bragg.
Kathy Griffin
Famous for her comedy. Griffin is also an Emmy award winner. Her father was a World War II veteran and supported the United States military for a very long time. Griffin has been present in many USO tours. In 2010 she hosted the VH1 Divas Salute the Troops from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar based in San Diego, CA. She is also known for her free backstage tickets to veterans to attend her shows. She received an honor in 2013 for her contact support to the veterans during the 5th Annual Heroes Celebration.
Trace Adkins
Adkins also joins the list of country music stars who have given constant support to the US military. Adkins comes from a very patriotic family, even though none of his family members have ever served in the military. He was lucky to grow up in a military focused community and so far has been giving back to the community by visiting the wounded soldiers in hospitals. He has been on 10 tours organized by the USO and also visits families of fallen soldiers. He has taken part in several charity concerts that are military focused. Some of the major concerts he has taken part in are the Cause for Applause: Salute the Troops concert at the Grand Ole Opry on May 19. He has even used his music to honor the service members, in his songs “’Til the Last Shots Fired” and “Arlington.”
