FacebookKellie Pickler has made it her mission to spread a little Christmas cheer to the men and women serving our country.
The country crooner embarked upon her seventh USO Tour on Friday, Dec. 20, traveling overseas for nine days to the Middle East, where she visited two countries, performed five shows and spent time with the troops stationed in those areas as part of the USO's new campaign "Every Moment Counts."
The former American Idol contestant shared a photo from the tour on her Facebook page, captioning the pic, "Kyle and I flying high in the cockpit of a C-17.can you spot the ultimate photo bomb?!? #USOtour."
And she also posted another photo of a touching moment she shared with a soldier, captured during her time in the Middle East.
"Not every Christmas do you get to fist bump a soldier while dangling your feet off the back of a Chinook flying in Afghanistan. Merry Christmas from the Middle East," the blond beauty wrote.
The new "Every Moment Counts" campaign, which kicked off on Veterans Day 2013 with help from Jason Derulo, encourages Americans to show their support for the troops by creating everyday moments for military families by visiting USOmoments.org in order to learn about the challenges soldiers and their families face or to donate to the USO.
"The USO tours and programs I've been a part of have definitely been the highlight of my career, so I'm honored to join the USO in helping to raise awareness about the many precious moments that our troops and their families sacrifice due to their commitment and service to our country," Pickler said in a statement. "Every Moment Counts is especially close to my heart because it not only recognizes their personal sacrifices, but gives Americans the opportunity to thank our troops with a special gift of a moment."
Since 1941, the USO has sent performers to American military installations around the world.
"There's no place I'd rather spend Christmas," Pickler reportedly said as she took the stage at the Kandahan Airfield in Afghanistan.
Here's hoping she brought an extra dose of Christmas joy to those most deserving.