Grand Ole Opry Celebrates U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary

The Grand Ole Opry, celebrating its 100th anniversary, honored the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary with a red carpet parade and what has become a highlight of the year, the special Salute the Troops Opry performance last night. Among the artists who performed were Opry member Craig Morgan, who serves as a Warrant Officer in the Army Reserve; Opry members John Conlee, Dailey & Vincent, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Rhonda Vincent; as well as Tony Jackson, Scotty Hasting, Sal Gonzalez, the 100th Army Band, and more.

The Opry welcomed the 101st Airborne Division Commanding General, Major General Brett Sylvia as its special guest. Major General Sylvia’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legions of Merit, six Bronze Star Medals including one for Valor, a Purple Heart, and four Army Commendation Medals, including one for Valor. He also served as a member of units that earned the Presidential Unit Citation, three Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, three Meritorious Unit Citations, and an Army Superior Unit Award. MG Sylvia’s decorations include the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. His foreign awards include the Polish Army Medal – Bronze, the Romanian Land Forces Award, and Uruguayan and Chilean jump wings.

Major General Sylvia and Opry member Craig Morgan, who serves as an Army Reserve Warrant Officer, presided over a future soldier swearing-in ceremony live on stage.

Portions of this year’s Opry Salute the Troops will air as a special Opry Live on Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 24) on the Opry Facebook and YouTube channels, streaming free on the Circle Now app, or tune in via Circle Country digital streaming partners at 9/8 p.m. CT.

The Opry Salute the Troops show was proudly supported by presenting sponsor Humana and their partner, the VFW, along with USAA, MTSU’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veteran and Military Family Center, and Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Transition to Trades Program.