Joe Nichols recently visited troops on US military bases in Kuwait and Iraq. His trip was filmed for the GAC special, Joe Nichols: My Military Diary, premiering Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at 10 p.m. Eastern.

#7 on GAC’s Top Stories of 2009 |  View all »

Seven years into post-9/11 wars that continue to stretch America’s psyche and its public coffers, President Obama’s agonizing decision over how to proceed was one of the most analyzed topics in the national news during 2009.

Whether they approved of the wars or not, country’s stars continued to support the troops whose jobs demand they wage them. Joe Nichols, Toby Keith, Craig Morgan and the Charlie Daniels Band were among the numerous acts who made it a point to go overseas and play for the men and women in uniform. They went to the Middle East, to European bases and to Korea — and plenty more artists found time to give shows for the troops at U.S. bases.

In a couple of instances, GAC brought the experience to you with the specials Stars For Stripes: Wounded Warriors Return and Joe Nichols: My Military Diary.

A sampling of country’s commitment to the nation’s armed forces during 2009 includes:

• Craig Morgan and Chris Young along with GAC host Nan Kelley journeyed to Iraq and Germany with soldiers who had suffered life-changing wounds during previous deployments. The trip included a show in Baghdad in which Iraqi citizens were able to see American performers in concert for the first time. The resulting special, Stars For Stripes: Wounded Warriors Return, has an encore airing on GAC Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. ET.  View photos from the trip »

• Joe Nichols did his first Middle East tour in June, and he was extremely moved by the strain it puts on the relationships of the soldiers, many of whom end up divorced when their spouses simply can’t cope with their loved ones’ absence. Joe Nichols: My Military Diary re-broadcasts on Christmas Day and on Dec. 26.

• Toby Keith received a Distinguished Service Award from the Military Officers Association in Washington, D.C., then left the same day for his annual trek to play for American soldiers on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. He delivered 15 shows in just five days.

• The Charlie Daniels Band continued playing through a sandstorm during a show at Al Asad Air Force Base in Iraq.

• Bucky Covington performed for troops in Germany, Kosovo and The Netherlands. Also playing American bases in Europe were Steve Wariner and songwriters Todd Cerney (”I’ll Still Be Loving You”), Thom Shepherd (”Riding With Private Malone”), Wade Kirby (”I Saw God Today”), Bob Regan (”Busy Man”) and Jerry Vandiver (”Don’t Waste It On The Blues”).

• Jack Ingram and Tracy Lawrence each appeared at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

• Among those who visited and/or performed at bases and hospitals in the U.S. were Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, Randy Owen, Miranda Lambert, Rodney Atkins and John Rich.

Do you know about some other efforts undertaken in 2009 by country artists in order to support our troops?  Drop me a comment below and share their stories!