FORT MEADE, Md. –
Air Force Reserve Recruiting brought a popular artist to perform for the troops as part of the "Stateside Tour for the Troops" campaign Nov. 6 at Fort Meade, Md.
The popular rap artist and actor Ludacris, accompanied by co-artist Lil Fate, sang a variety of songs spanning the last decade for a crowd of over 1,000 servicemembers, federal employees, family members and potential Air Force Reserve recruits.
The tour is intended to pay tribute to servicemembers for their service and also engage today's youth by bringing popular artists from a variety of genres to perform across the states. The performances are featured as one possible incentive in the recruiting campaign, "Get 1 Now" where individuals can refer a potential recruit to Air Force Reserve Recruiting and receive two tickets and VIP passes to an event.
Backstage, Ludacris filmed public service announcements for the Air Force Reserves, expressing his endorsement of the military and his reason for participating in the "Stateside Tour for the Troops."
"I'm just giving back to those who have given so much to our country. It's the least I can do," said Ludacris." I want to thank everyone, especially the Air Force Reserves."
In order to make the evening run smoothly, members of the 11th Wing Security Forces Squadron volunteered to conduct artist and event security. One SFS member thought the concert was a great way to reach a population that might not have known about all of the opportunities available in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves.
"I think any time someone high profile, like Ludacris, takes time out to play for the troops, it really lifts spirits and morale," said Tech. Sgt. Stephanie L. Richardson, 11 SFS security manager.
The next "Get 1 Now" event is an Usher concert Dec. 17 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit
http://get1now.us/.