Mark Wills supports military families

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Today, in between visiting a friend at the hospital and picking up my husband at noon when he got off of work, I decided to go to the PX to kill some time. As I drove up I saw on the PX sign the words “Meet Mark Wills…Friday December 11, 1100.”

I had seen the sign previously that week but had forgotten about it. I didn’t go to the PX with the intent of seeing him, it just happened.

It was 1030 when I arrived, so I knew I would be able to see him. I have to admit, I was a little bit nervous. Mark Wills isn’t one of my top favorites as far as country stars go, but this would be the first time in my life I have ever met someone remotely famous (let alone for free!). I waited in line for a few minutes.

When it came my turn this was how the conversation went (as best as I can remember):

Me: Hi I’m Aprille (shakes his hand). Thanks so much for coming here and doing this! It means so much to me, especially with my husband being in the military.

Him: Oh is he deployed?

Me: No, but he was last year. He’s home for this Christmas too!

Him: Where was he deployed?

Me: Afghanistan

Him: Where about?

Me: (told him where.)

Him: Oh okay. We are going over there soon to spend some time with the troops right before Christmas.

Me: Ah that means so much to me. I know when my husband was deployed he got to meet Tommy Lasorda and some guys who starred in “The Unit.” It wasn’t so much that he was interested in baseball or any of that, it just meant a lot that they came over to spend time with the troops.

Him: See it means a lot to us too. For us it’s not about the press or any of that. We get to meet so many neat people over there, and we love encouraging the soldiers. In fact when I came on base, I saw a CSM and he greeted me and said “you were at one of my soldiers’ memorial services!” (He then showed me a memorial bracelet for the soldier that he still wears on his wrist.)

(We then posed for a picture.)

Me: I have to tell you, my favorite song of yours is “It’s Workin.”

Him: You’re kidding! I’m so surprised! That wasn’t even a single! (He then proceeds to sing the first few phrases of the chorus right there!)

Me: Well, I love it! I think I like it because I relate to it…it reminds me so much of my relationship with my husband. We have our times but “it’s workin!”

Him: Hey, who doesn’t?!

Me: I also like “Emily Harper.” Is it a true story?

Him: Yes! Actually one of my buddies…it’s about his highschool sweetheart. True story!

Me: Aww that’s awesome I really love that song! Thanks again!

It was a really awesome experience. I was very afraid that I would be overcome with celebrity awe and turn into a fumbling idiot, but he was a really down to earth guy trying to do his part to encourage the troops. He has definitely gained a certain measure of respect in my mind that he didn’t have before and has risen up on my “favorite country stars” list.

Here is a video that I found on youtube that explains more of what Mark Wills does to support military families: