Hank Williams Jr. to Receive Patriot Award

Operation Troop Aid has chosen Hank Williams Jr.as the recipient of the 2013 OTA Patriot Award. Williams will be presented with the award as part of his headlining gig at Nashville's New Year's Eve Bash on Broadway on Dec. 31.

OTA is a nonprofit that supports deployed US troops. They present the Patriot Award to "celebrities that champion the men and women serving in the American Armed Forces." The Grammy-winning country artist is well known within the military community for performing at military bases around the world, and also meeting with military personnel at each of his live performances.

"I am extremely honored to award Hank Williams Jr. the 2013 Patriot Award," says OTA founder and Executive Director Mark Woods in a press release. "His art, legacy of family and spirit of patriotism is exactly why this award exists. He never forgot his roots and why we have the freedom we do in America."

Past recipients of the Patriot Award include Toby Keith, Darryl Worley, Aaron Tippin, Gary Sinise, Charlie Daniels, Mark Wills and Kiss.