MUSIC NEWS
Texas singer completes march from Austin to Fort Hood
04/29/2011

from Austin Your News Now on austin.ynn.com

For country music singer Granger Smith, the journey of 100 miles started with a single step in South Austin on Sunday. Four days later in Killeen, he was 94 miles closer to his goal.

Smith’s trek across Central Texas was part of a nationwide effort called the Boot Campaign, which encourages others to walk a mile in military boots.

The money from the campaign benefits soldiers who are wounded or suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"It's been amazing what we've seen, ups and downs,” Smith said. “No pun intended, just kind of one foot in front of the other."

Smith’s walk toward Fort Hood was to bring attention to the sacrifices made by men and women who serve in the military.

"Maybe one soldier that's having a bad day, he's going into work, or he's about to deploy or he's on leave and he sees us walking, and he sees us supporting him as civilians and if that lifts him or her up, then that whole walk was worth it to me," he said.

It’s an effort that means a lot for Courtney Bryson, whose husband is in the military.

"A lot of people say 'support the troops', but they don't do anything,” she said. “And for Granger to do something and bring a lot of awareness, it really means a whole lot to us."

Courtney Bryson and her two daughters showed up for the final six-mile trek to finish out the walk for her husband who was in Austin to kick off the journey.

"My husband was diagnosed with PTSD a couple years ago, and we met Granger in Germany when he was there for the USO tour," she said. "A lot of people you know they don't realize a lot of people live with PTSD every day and don't really show the signs."

After the walk, Smith held a free concert for soldiers and their families at Fort Hood.

(read full story on austin.ynn.com)





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