Parton, who passed away Aug. 25 at age 80, used her public platorm to honor servicemembers. She was honored with the Good Guy Award by The American Legion in 2004.
Country music icon Dolly Parton, who once described herself as having an “all-American heart,” spent decades building a connection with the military community.
She used her music and public platform to honor service members, participate in USO efforts and support military families, including by funding children’s literacy initiatives.
The country star died Tuesday in Nashville, her nephew Brian Seaver announced on social media. She had been battling cancer for a brief period, according to multiple news reports. She was 80.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens,” Seaver said in the video message.
A small, private funeral service for immediate family will be held, her family announced. President Donald Trump also ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for one week in her honor.
The East Tennessee native and Grammy award-winning singer, known for signature hits including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” showed her support for service members and their families over the years.
“Thank you so much for taking care of us and for taking care of your own business and allowing us to take care of ours. So God bless you and thank you so much to all of you. Thank you for your service,” Parton said in a 2022 video posted by the USO on Tuesday.
Parton never went on tour with the USO, according to the organization that brings entertainment to service members and their families around the world. But in 2022, she participated in their Military Virtual Programming series and answered questions about her career from service members and their families. The USO said it was one of the highest-performing virtual programs during COVID-19.
“Dolly Parton had a rare gift for making people feel seen, lifted and loved. The USO is grateful for the light she brought to service members and their families. We join the many in honoring her extraordinary legacy,” Jennifer Passey, vice president of communications for the USO, said in an email to Stars and Stripes Wednesday.
In 2005, she performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage as service members watched live from Iraq, according to a caption by the Air Force. And in 2004, the 134th Air Refueling Wing unveiled a KC-135 Stratotanker featuring her likeness. Parton performed for airmen and their families at the unveiling.
Although Parton never served in the military, her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, was an Army veteran. Dean died in 2025.
“Dolly Parton always held veterans close to her heart,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins said on social media Tuesday.
As a philanthropist, her Imagination Library provided free books to children in military families at Naval Base Kitsap, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Naval Station Everett in Washington, Military.com reported.
“From supporting our troops and military families to a lifetime of extraordinary philanthropy, Dolly never stopped giving back,” Collins said.
The Republican chairman and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee both issued statements of praise for Parton.
“Dolly Parton was Americana personified! She was generous, kind, patriotic and empathetic,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., an Air Force veteran. “World famous and self-deprecating at the same time. We will never see another like her.” Sen.
Jack Reed, D-R.I., an Army veteran, called Parton an inspiration and an icon. “Her unique brand of hard work and kindness shone bright in every role,” he said.
Stars and Stripes reporter Svetlana Shkolnikova contributed.
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