Country singer Lee Greenwood shared a memorable experience when he was sent to Panama by President George H.W. Bush to entertain U.S. troops during the operation against Manuel Noriega. Interestingly, prior to his arrival, he was caught in some intense moments with Marines in the jungle.
On the “Hangout with Sean Hannity” podcast, Greenwood recalled President Bush’s words: “I’m going to send you to Panama. Take the band there. I’ve already excluded the dependents. We want you to come out and entertain our troops.” His band was flown out first via a Chinook helicopter, while an emissary handed him a letter from the president intended for Marines in the field.
“Then an emissary gave me a letter from the president to 200 Marines in the jungle,” Greenwood explained. With the band already gone, he jumped into a jeep with a sergeant, only to find themselves in a dangerous situation as bullets flew over their heads.
Although Greenwood was unharmed, the sergeant driving the vehicle suffered an injury. “[The driver’s] finger came off at the index finger,” he noted. Fortunately, they managed to reach the Marines and, as Greenwood described, “showed them where we were, and they went out and took them out.”
Operation Just Cause commenced in December 1989, with around 26,000 combat troops assigned to the operation that aimed to neutralize Noriega’s forces, restore a democratic government, and protect American lives.
Years later, Greenwood had a poignant reminder of his adventure in Panama when the same sergeant showed up backstage after one of his concerts in Ohio. “I said, ‘Maybe he’s missing a finger?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ We hugged, and I thought about how we both could have been killed that day,” he recalled.
This experience was just one of the many military visits that influenced his career. “I remember being in the jungle, it was 140 degrees… addressing 150 Marines who were going to war,” Greenwood reflected. “Throughout my career, visiting the military has made me a proud patriot.”
During the interview, Greenwood and his wife, Kimberly, shared insights about their 40-year legacy tied to “God Bless the USA,” especially as the United States nears its 250th anniversary. Kimberly mentioned that their relationship blossomed through USO tours and military service, emphasizing that their journey together has been deeply rooted in patriotism.
Greenwood expressed pride in writing “God Bless the USA,” stating it came from a place of love for his country and respect for those who have served. “I am very proud to have written this piece because I love this country,” he affirmed. “I didn’t write it for any other purpose.”
The complete interview is accessible on various platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
