Country singer Brian Kelley ‘so grateful’ to American heroes who fought to ‘protect our freedoms’

Country singer Brian Kelley reflected on what being an American means to him after the country recently celebrated its 248th Independence Day.

During an interview with Fox News Digital, the 38-year-old former Florida George Line member, who recently debuted his new solo album, “Tennessee Truth,” shared his pride in being a United States citizen and expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices that members of the military have made to preserve America’s fundamental rights.

“At the end of the day, one of the greatest things about being an American is the freedom to speak and think and live, right?” he said.

elley continued, “And have your own opinions and have the right to vote, to have a say in how things go here – at a local point to a national.”

“And very grateful to live in a place where thousands of our heroes have died to protect our freedoms, to fight for our freedoms,” he added. “I love our military. I love our service members – would do anything for them.”

The “Beach Cowboy” singer told Fox News Digital that both his uncle, Mike Kelley, and grandfather John Edward Kelley, who he refers to as “Poppy,” both served in the military.

My Poppy was awarded two Purple Hearts,” Kelley said. “He was a POW in Mossberg, Germany. And his story – to this day – still inspires me and still inspires songs. And my Uncle Mike was an airborne Ranger for a long time when he first got going. Then he was in the Air National Guard right outside Nashville. He even went to Iraq in 2003, 2004. And, I remember that like it was yesterday. I was like, ‘Uncle Mike is going to frickin’ war. Are you kidding me?'”

“And that was at the height of everything back then. I love this country and to be American and to be able to live, think, breathe freely and live how you want. And so I think that’s what I love about it.”