Courtesy James Micari for MaximKellie Pickler is a staunch supporter of our nation's troops--she just completed her fifth USO tour overseas this May--and now she's found yet another way to lift soldiers' spirits! The blond cutie chose to honor our armed forces with a sexy and revealing photo shoot for Maxim's new "Salute To The Military" issue.
Pickler sizzles in an army-green bra and high-waisted shorts for the cover of the issue and most of her pictorial, but also flashes her assets in Naval-inspired stripes...just so the sailors don't feel left out!
Courtesy James Micari for MaximThe American Idol alum's dedication to the military started all in the family--her grandfather is a retired Marine. "I've always had a great deal of respect for anyone who serves our country," she told Maxim. "It really does take someone special to sacrifice everything. I don't mean just their lives, either. There are men who are sacrificing the chance to hold their newborn baby!"
Pickler, an adventurous sort who isn't daunted by extreme conditions in such locales as Iraq and Afghanistan, does more than simply entertain the troops while overseas. She actually gets up close and personal with soldiers. She related a favorite USO tour memory to Maxim: "My whole band and I stayed up one night until 3 a.m., picking with the soldiers who played guitar."
And guitar's not all she played with. When asked if she handled any artillery in the Middle East, the singer admitted she certainly did! "We shot everything: M16s, .50- caliber grenade launchers," she related. "I shot all the guns on the Black Hawks. Hundreds of bullets come out at a time. It's crazy."
Pickler encourages her fans to check out the USO website, where there are various options for donating time and/or money to help lift the spirits of America's troops and their families. Maxim's "Salute To The Military" issue will be available on newsstands July 31.
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