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Kid Rock kicked off Memorial Day with a special message to honor those who gave their lives while fighting for America.
“On this Memorial Day we remember the sacrifices and service of so many who are not with us today. It is a special day, and we are thinking of them,” said the rock singer. “Once again, I just wanted to say thank you. God bless you all for your sacrifice, for your service. Keep on Kid Rockin’ in the free world.”
Rock, whose full name is Robert Ritchie, has long been associated with Americana and patriotism, which he has not held back. An outspoken supporter of the US military, Rock has participated in numerous tours with the United Service Organizations (USO), cheering on troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
KID ROCK COMES BACK TO MEDIA TROLLS OVER GOING UP, WARNING HIS FACE WORK IS FAR AWAY.
Singer Kid Rock performs on stage at the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 18, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The “Bawitdaba” singer recently told Will Cain of Fox News that his patriotism started in a different way after meeting sailors who survived the al Qaeda attack on the USS Cole.
“It really started with the bombing of the USS Cole,” Rock said. “They were playing my music when that ship was pulled into port and 17 sailors lost their lives. So, we ended up playing a show in Virginia and giving all that money to those families.”
He told Cain that honoring the US military “has been one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever done, but it’s very rewarding and something I couldn’t be prouder of.”
Rock is also a big fan of President Donald Trump and has seen the president many times. He performed at the 2024 Republican National Convention days after Trump was shot on the campaign trail in Butler, Pa.
Patriotism is a central theme on his current tour, “Freedom 250,” which takes him to several states as he performs with guests Jon Pardi, Big & Rich, Parker McCollum, Brantley Gilbert and Them Dirty Roses.
The “All Summer Long” singer found herself at the center of controversy in March after a video of two AH-64 Apache helicopters flying above her home in Tennessee, which she calls the “Southern White House.” The video on social media led to an investigation by the military and the suspension of the crew who made the flight. However, Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth later lifted the suspension and ended the investigation.
“Thank you @KidRock. Suspension of USArmy pilots is OVER. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.
The US military airlifted a helicopter over Kid Rock’s home in Nashville on Saturday. (Getty Images)
KID ROCK NASHVILLE MANSION FLYOVER EVENT ENDS AS HEGSETH PUSHES OFF AIRCREW, WISHES TO BE TERMINATED
One month after the unplanned flight in Tennessee, the singer joined Hegseth in DC to secretly ride military helicopters. Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell provided more details about the meeting in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
“As part of that event, Robert ‘Kid Rock’ Ritchie participated in outreach to many groups and service members and filmed videos for Memorial Day, America’s 250th birthday, and his Freedom 250 tour,” Parnell said.
“Today’s visit gave Kid Rock an opportunity to thank service members, highlight the ingenuity of the men and women who support this campaign and see their continued dedication to honoring our nation,” he added.
Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth and singer Kid Rock pose for a photo with soldiers in front of a helicopter. (@SecWar on X)
KID ROCK, HEGSETH APACHE HELICOPTER TRAP NEAR WASHINGTON
In a post on X with photos of the experience, Hegseth called Rock “a patriot and a great supporter of our military.”
“The Department of Defense is wasting no time in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary – home of the free for the brave,” the secretary wrote.
Hegseth’s post celebrating the experience drew backlash, with some critics painting it as a thrill ride paid for by taxpayers and others pointing to the cost of flying Apache helicopters.
When speaking with Cain, Rock said the criticism was “just noise” and he didn’t feel the need to “show up” to the critics.
Singer Kid Rock performs during the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 18, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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“I have been there in our army and I stood up, you know, I spent two Christmases and Thanksgiving there years ago, in all the countries that have been affected by war, I can say the countries for days. Everything is on the Internet. Everything is there. But yes, people do not have a leg to stand on,” said the singer.
As Americans across the country mark Memorial Day, Rock’s message echoes the theme of the day and why the country takes a moment to remember those who gave their greatest sacrifices.
Fox News Digital’s Madison Colombo and Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
