As fans visited Barnes & Noble in Lake Sumter Landing on Monday afternoon, Lee Greenwood’s new children’s illustration book, “Proud to be an American,” sold rapidly throughout the book signing event. Many in the crowd included fans that attended Greenwood’s sold-out Independence Day concert at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center.
Sumter County Commission Chairman and candidate for the Florida House of Representatives Don Hahnfeldt attended the event to chat with Greenwood and received a signed copy of the book for his wife, Cheryl.
Hahnfeldt presented the singer with a USS Tennessee SSBN-734 hat.
He recalled Greenwood’s visits to the USS Tennessee SSBN-734, where Hahnfeldt served as a skipper. Greenwood has performed in USO shows and supported the troops through the years.
Alice Johnson of the Village of Polo Ridge brought with her a copy of Greenwood’s book and an Army-uniformed bear that sings “God Bless the U.S.A.”
An avid fan of the patriotic song, Johnson said that “the word that comes to mind is freedom,” when she thinks about what it means to her. Johnson intends to give the book, which teaches the American youth about patriotism, to the grandchildren of a close friend.
Among the crowd were also families and children who happily waited to meet Greenwood. Donya Broda, who works at the Villages Charter School, brought her three children. Her goal was to get a copy of the book autographed for her children and an album signed for her husband’s birthday.
Her eldest son Michael will be attending 5th grade, while her twins McKenzie and Matthew will be entering 2nd grade this upcoming school year at the Villages Charter School.
Fans continued to arrive and had their books signed by Greenwood toward the end of the event even though the singer had to depart for Kissimmee for his next book signing.
“Proud to be an American,” serves as a tool for families to teach the younger generation American values and continues the patriotic legacy of the renowned song, “God Bless the USA.”
