Kellie Pickler will receive a special honor from Operation Troop Aid (OTA) for her continuing support of the American troops both here in the USA and overseas.

OTA has presented an award for supporting the troops annually for a while. However, this year the award has been named after the late American Sniper and U.S. Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle. As a result, Kellie will be the first recipient of the OTA Chris Kyle Patriot Award.

Kellie lends her support to so many worthy causes every year like the Red Cross Evening of the Stars recently here in Bloomington-Normal. She is a very vocal and active supporter of the United States Armed Forces as well.

OTA is presenting the award to Kellie for her support of the military personnel and their families. Kellie is a member of a military family herself and has been on eight USO tours and was the 2013 recipient of the Heart for the Warrior Award from the USO of North Carolina

Chris Kyle’s parents, Wayne and Deby Kyle, and OTA Founder Mark Woods will present Kellie with the award from the LP Field stage following her performance of the National Anthem to open the nightly CMA Music Festival concert on Saturday, June 13 in Nashville.

The annual OTA awards has been presented to Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr., Toby Keith, KISS, Darryl Worley, Aaron Tippin, Mark Wills, Charlie Daniels and Gary Sinise previously making Kellie the first female to receive the honor.

OTA is a military organization that was founded to make a positive difference in the everyday lives of our military members. The organization specializes in sending entertainment and care package to our men and women in uniform.

Congratulations on the honor and THANK YOU to Kellie Pickler for her continued support of our military men, women and their families!

By: Buck Stevens