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MINOT, N.D. – While most 19-year-olds are busy mapping out their futures, “American Idol” Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery has a pretty good idea what he wants to be when he grows up.  In fact, he’s already on the path to becoming one of today’s hottest country music artists. 

But when asked what he would be doing if he wasn’t performing, the Mercury recording artist replied “I think at 19, most people are asking themselves that question, so I don’t really know.”

But there’s one thing McCreery is certain of: because of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform – many of whom aren’t much older than him – we have the freedom to make those life choices. It’s one of the reasons he partnered with the USO to perform his first USO concert at Minot Air Force Base, N.D.  Well, that and his deep military family ties. Both of his grandfathers served during World War II, one in the Navy and the other in the Air Force.

More than 1,000 troops and military families came out last Wednesday to enjoy the free USO concert, where the young country star took advantage of the opportunity to thank troops and their families for all their sacrifices.  

–Story by Sharee Posey, USO Senior Communications Specialist