Toby Keith Presents Wounded Veteran With Special Wheelchair
Country music superstar Toby Keith has long been a supporter of veterans and service members. He showed his appreciation for…
Toby Keith; Photo Courtesy The Independence Fund
Country music superstar Toby Keith has long been a supporter of veterans and service members. He showed his appreciation for American war heroes again on Friday night (Sept. 27) ahead of his concert at the Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Before his show, Keith teamed up with the national nonprofit organization, The Independence Fund, to surprise retired Marine Corporal Brandon Rumbaugh with a $16,000 all-terrain trackchair. Rumbaugh, who lost his legs while serving overseas, accepted the special gift onstage in front of an audience of thousands.
Along with the life-changing wheelchair, Rumbaugh also received the VIP treatment, where he got to meet the “Made In America” singer and enjoy the show from the side of the stage. That’s not all though…Rumbaugh also got to take home a patriotic-themed acoustic guitar.
“This Marine definitely deserves all the praise that he receives! We thank you for serving our country, Brandon!” The Independence Fund wrote on Facebook, adding that Rumbaugh had also been previously awarded a Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for Valor. “& Toby Keith, thanks for making this special moment possible!”
Rumbaugh’s website states that he was injured back in 2012 while with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines in Afghanistan. At the time, he was carrying a Marine to safety when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in the loss of both of his legs. Following his injury, he got fitted for prosthetic legs and used red, white and blue crutches to get around. His new wheelchair will allow him more opportunities to have an active lifestyle.
Keith is currently playing shows on his That’s Country Bro! Tour, which wraps up Nov. 10 in Arizona. For more information on Keith’s tour dates, fans can visit his official website
Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Country Now, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.
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