NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Grand Ole Opry and Middle Tennessee State University recently honored U.S. active-duty military and veterans with the return of a red-carpet parade, visiting dignitaries and the Opry’s special annual Salute the Troops performance.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU’s senior advisor for veterans and leadership initiatives, joined Army Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general, Army Reserve Command; Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore; and several country music artists for the salute.

Among the artists who performed on May 19 were Opry member and former MTSU student Craig Morgan, who serves as an Army Reserve Warrant Officer; MTSU alumna HunterGirl; Opry member Lauren Alaina; The War And Treaty; the 100th Army Reserve Band; and the 313th Army Band.

Leading into Memorial Day Weekend, this year’s Salute to Service gave Harter, who attended the event at the invitation of MTSU vice president Andrew Oppmann, an Army Reserve civilian ambassador, the opportunity to meet with community members and recruiters. He also administered the oath of office to six young Americans, who joined the service branch on one of the nation’s most iconic stages.

Army Reserve officials said the event carried added significance, as the Opry is marking its 100th anniversary this year as the nation commemorates America 250, the semiquincentennial celebration of the nation’s founding. Throughout the evening, the Army Reserve was prominently featured alongside tributes to all branches of the U.S. military.

For Harter, the day was also an opportunity to make the case for service directly. When Charlie Mattos, host of WSM Radio, asked what he’d tell someone on the fence about joining, Harter didn’t hesitate.

“Go for it. Why would you want to do something easy? It’s the greatest team on the planet. The Army Reserve allows so many of our young men and women to live a life of purpose – stay home, keep your civilian job, and we help you with the rest.

“Doesn’t mean the other 99 percent aren’t great,” Harter continued. “But these young men and women have made a commitment, and they’re joining at a crazy time. They see the world and what’s going on, and yet they still raise their right hand.”

MTSU’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, the largest veterans support center at any Tennessee college or university, serving more than 1,200 military-connected students each year, once again sponsored the Opry salute. 

Huber, who served 38 years on active duty as an Infantryman and Green Beret, with 14 of those years as a general officer, was featured as guest announcer during the Opry’s tribute to the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Daniels Center at MTSU.

He told the capacity crowd, with many active-duty troops and veterans in attendance, the Daniels Center is a resource to all who have served — regardless of any affiliation to the university.

“I will be your action officer,” Huber said.

MTSU alumna Hunter Wolkonowski, known best as American Idol runner-up HunterGirl, delivered a special shoutout to Huber and the Daniels Center before her Opry set.

“Before we get started, I want to say how happy I am about the work by my alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, to care of our student veterans, their families and anyone needing the help of the Daniels Center,” she said.

“I worked with Charlie and Hazel when I was a student on campus, and General Huber and Charlie Jr., please know that I will continue to help you all I can.”

Army Reserve public affairs officer Sgt. Katherine Devereaux contributed to this report.