Eddie Montgomery Gives a ‘True American Hero’ His Cowboy Hat [Watch]
Montgomery Gentry singer Eddie Montgomery recently performed at a benefit concert for wounded soldiers, and he gave one brave veteran one of his custom-made cowboy hats to thank him for his service.
Montgomery was on hand to perform at the Sothern Tier Wounded Warrior Benefit Concert, which took place at the Allegany Fireman's Park in Allegany, N.Y., on Saturday (July 27). Patrick Miller organized the concert, and Montgomery was one of the musical headliners.
Miller, who is an Iraq war veteran, was injured in April of 2014 when a fellow soldier, Spc. Ivan Antonio Lopez, opened fire at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas, where Miller was then stationed. Miller was shot in the chest while running toward the gunfire to save his fellow soldiers. The bullet barely missed his heart, striking two inches below it. Despite being injured and applying pressure to the wound, Miller continued to move soldiers out of harm's way and behind a door to safety.
Miller has found a way to help other injured veterans after surviving his injury by organizing the Southern Tier Wounded Warrior Benefit Concert. The third annual installment of the event featured performances from Montgomery, Meg and Tyler, Eric Van Houten and New York State Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Farmer Jack Ellis.
Montgomery took the opportunity to thank Miller for his service to the United States. In a video posted to Montgomery Gentry's Facebook page, Montgomery personally meets with Miller and gives him a hat that was specially designed for him by Charlie 1 Horse Hats.
"You can hang it in your garden," Montgomery quips in the video of the moment. "It'll scare off the birds. It's great for target practice."
As the video concludes, Montgomery thanks Miller before calling him a "true American hero."
In a post shared along with the video, Montgomery continues his praise of Miller by saying, "You are an example of courage and service far above self sir - definitely Something To Be Proud Of."
He then concludes the post by thanking all of those who serve, saying, "God Bless you and all of our American Heroes."
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