America Supports You: John Mellencamp Rocks Walter Reed

America Supports You ^ | Fred W. Baker III

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2007 – Popular rock musician John Mellencamp took to the stage at Walter Reed Army Medical Center April 27 and delivered his trademark Americana singing style as a tribute to the wounded soldiers who inspired him at the hospital.

John Mellencamp, right, sings at Walter Reed Army Medical Center at a free performance for wounded warriors, family and staff April 27, 2007. About 200 wounded soldiers, family members and hospital staff attended the event, providing a small but energetic crowd. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The down-home singer-songwriter known for his bushy black hair and jeans-and-t-shirt performances said he wanted to do something for the soldiers recovering at Walter Reed. About 200 wounded soldiers, staff and family members attended the event, providing a small but energetic crowd.

In the hour-long performance, the Indiana-born-rocker, who became a star in the 1980s, performed many of his older hits such as his opener “Small Town,” and “Little Pink Houses,” as well as songs from his current Freedom's Road album. “Jack and Diane” was probably the most popular, bringing the crowd to its feet, rivaled only by the finale “Hurts So Good.”

The stage was the historical Old Red Cross Building built in 1926 on Walter Reed’s campus. Soldiers, families and staff sat on the hard wood floors or on chairs they brought, but they mostly stood and danced as Mellencamp performed. In the front, some waved a flag during parts of the performance. Toward the end, Mellencamp came off the stage to sing to front-row concertgoers.

Mellencamp opened by saying he hoped that everyone could forget about any problems they may have and have a good time. The concert provided a respite for soldiers and their family members recovering at the center.

Army 1st Lt. Josh Mantz arrived at Walter Reed less than a week ago, after being wounded in Iraq. Mantz attended the concert with his fiancé, Justina Hollenbach, and best friend, Jesse Scholl. All three are Mellencamp fans.

“It’s just awesome what he is doing,” said Mantz. “It took a lot of stress off of them [Hollenbach and Scholl]. It kind of let them forget about the stress they’ve had the past few days worrying about me.

“It takes a lot of stress off the soldiers, a lot of stress off of the families. It’s a nice little break. It can be a real sad place without people like John who lighten things up a little bit,” he said.

An outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq, Mellencamp steered clear of any political statement, choosing instead to emphasize his support to the troops. Mellencamp performed his hit “Our Country” at the opening of the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in January.

His publicist, Bob Merlis, said Mellencamp was impressed then by the attitudes of the soldiers recovering from severe wounds.

“He’s very inspired by them. He was awestruck,” Merlis said. “He said to me, ‘I don’t know if this happened to me that I’d have this really positive outlook like some of these guys do.”

While at the center, Mellencamp visited with troops and even struck up an impromptu rendition of “Pink Houses” with a soldier who had a guitar.

Mellencamp earned a GRAMMY award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1982 with “Hurts So Good” from his 1982 American Fool album.

Related Sites:
America Supports You
Walter Reed Army Medical Center

	Soldiers, family members and staff at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center cheer John Mellencamp at his April 27 performance at the historical Old Red Cross Building built in 1926 on the medical center’s campus. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	John Mellencamp sings at Walter Reed Army Medical Center at a free performance for wounded warriors, family and staff April 27, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

Entertaing the Wound Warriors: John Mellencamp Rocks Walter Reed

[Larry Lucido]

I hate his politics, but as long as the troops received some needed comfort and happiness, that’s all that matters to me.

[100-Fold_Return]

Cougar—and the rest of America—could do more for our brave servicemen and women by praying for VICTORY IN IRAN, ASAP!!!!

[frankenMonkey]

An outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq, Mellencamp steered clear of any political statement, choosing instead to emphasize his support to the troops.

Works for me. I'm not a fan, but my gratitude goes out to him...

[RussP]

This guy’s music has always struck me a mediocre at best, but if the troops liked him that’s all that matters. Good for him — and thanks for keeping a lid on the anti-war crap!

[Enterprise]

Ping

[BamaAndy]

This showed class for a change among our dear left. Hat’s off to him.

[peeps36]

The American soldiers showed even more class by not booing him off stage.

[Liberty Valance]

Thank you Mr. Mellencamp. You did a great thing.

[Millee]

He stands head & shoulders above most of his lefty ilk. Good for you, Mr. Melloncamp!

[Always Right]

Well I am glad John kept his message positive. His music tends to be patriotic and uplifting, far different than the politics that he has spewed recently.

[Always Right]

He stands head & shoulders above most of his lefty ilk.

Don't go too far, Mellencamp has said some pretty negative things about the war. I am glad he is taking a page from Bono and not insulting half his fan base with goofy left-wing politics.

[Millee]

Well I don’t hold any of the leftist in very high esteem, so it wasn’t much of a compliment. ;o)

[TigersEye]

I like his music, hate his political views but what he did here means lots more than either one. You did a great thing, John! Thank you.

[TASMANIANRED]

Good on Mellencamp.

Prayers for our wounded warriors.

[Doctor Raoul]

Roger that. He's a good guy for doing that.

Al Franken in the other hand is a real creep. He went over to Iraq and spouted his anti-war crap in his act. It was disguised as comedy, but he worked in all the moonbat talking points.

[dennisw]

Good for our boys and thanks John Mellencamp. Yes, I’m aware of what a vile lefty kook he can be

[Porterville]

John Cougar is a crap monkey. I used to love his stuff, now I turn it off and scream at the radio.

[Albion Wilde]

Thanks for the ping!