A note from Jane Campbell, CAPT, U.S. Navy (OF-5), ISAF Joint Command:

“Yesterday we hosted ADM & Mrs. Mullen & the USO Holiday Troop Tour (Comedian - Dave Attell, Tennis legend - Nick Bolletierri, Tennis star - Anna Kournikova, and Country Music star - Billy Ray Cyrus).

MCC Craig Strawser who was the star of the day – literally. Chief Strawser is a huge fan of Billy Ray Cyrus.  He captured several hundred
images of Billy Ray signing autographs & standing with soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.  As the autograph session wrapped up, I walked over and suggested that I take a picture of Chief and Billy Ray.  They both smiled.
[caption id="attachment_242” align=“aligncenter” width=“499” caption=“Billy Ray Cyrus and U. S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Craig P. Strawser”][/caption]
Chief then asked Billy Ray if he could tell him why he was such a fan. Chief relayed the story that about 10 years ago that he had the opportunity to talk with him following a concert at a fair in California. Evidently somebody tried to interrupt that conversation, and Billy Ray stopped them – informed them that Chief was a Navy man – and that he didn’t want to be interrupted.

Amazingly, Billy Ray responded to Chief’s story by saying – “Yeah, we walked over by the Corn Dog stand and finished the conversation." Chief was shocked that Billy Ray remembered.  I think most of us standing around were shocked – and more than pleasantly impressed.

We wrapped up the session, and took Mrs. Mullen and the USO Tour over to our cafeteria for lunch.”

Just another day in the life of a USO Celebrity Tour!  Click here for other tour photos and be sure to read this article from Black Anthem Military News.