Exchange Brings Free All-American Concert to Fort Hood
The Fort Hood community was kicking up its heels and boot scootin’ during a free concert on post Sept. 2.
Country singer Lee Brice performs at Fort Hood Stadium during Operation Pizza Taco. Earlier in the day, Brice and opening act the Eli Young Band did an afternoon meet-and-greet that drew a long line at the Fort Hood Exchange.
Operation Pizza Taco, which was sponsored by the Exchange, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Fort Hood MWR, featured an afternoon meet-and-greet with the Eli Young Band and Lee Brice at the Fort Hood Exchange. The line stretched throughout the Exchange mall with many in attendance arriving hours ahead of time.
Later that night, the two country acts took the stage at Fort Hood Stadium, spending more than an hour each showcasing their hits for thousands of Soldiers and families in attendance. Before Brice’s performance, Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor, along with members of the Fort Hood Exchange team, threw swag to the excited crowd before Osby introduced Brice.
“The Exchange wanted to bring something fun for the family,” Osby said. “There’s great people here at Fort Hood and we wanted to show them some love. It’s all about family and we do events like this to bring everybody together.”
The Exchange’s Services and Food Directorate team played a pivotal role in making the event a success. The team worked with Pizza Hut on marketing through social media, the installation as well at local Killeen Pizza Hut restaurants. Additionally, they assisted with logistics throughout the event, ensuring the bands received support while onsite.
“Military members and their families make so many sacrifices throughout their careers,” said Danita McFarland, Exchange Director of Food Operations and Support. “The Exchange was honored to be able to provide this concert for them and give them a night where they could put their stresses or concerns aside.”
The Fort Hood Exchange team worked for months to ensure the success of Operation Pizza Taco, collaborating with command and MWR as well as working the itinerary for the event.
“I’m so proud of the tireless work and energy the associates put in to ensure the day’s events went off without a hitch,” said Fort Hood Exchange General Manager C.J. Morganfield.
For Nick Wisely, III Corps Joint Fire Sgt. Maj., events such as “Operation Pizza Taco” are great for families and the military community alike.
“This is just a great experience for everyone,” Wisely said. “We brought the whole family and the entire community gets to come hang out free of cost thanks to great sponsors like AAFES. This is our second time at Fort Hood and we have been very blessed to get to come to events such as these.”
View photos of Operation Pizza Taco here.
