Most people are familiar with Drew Carey thanks to his self-titled sitcom, his stint as the host of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and most notably his gig with "The Price Is Right." However, they're likely less familiar with his military past. The former stand-up comedian served in the Marine Corps for six years, so it should come as no surprise to learn that he identifies with military families, and the July 4 episode of "The Price Is Right" will feature the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, Stars and Stripes reports.
A long standing relationship
The venerable game show – a TV staple for more than 40 years – has hosted military centric episodes before. In 2002, for instance, each branch of the Armed Forces got its own episode. Additionally, for each of the past five years there have been servicemembers in the audience for Veterans Day. However, honoring the troops on Independence Day is a first. Among those who were lucky enough to be a contestant was Air Force Maj. Douglas Johnson, who said the experience is not one he will soon forget.
"It was a lot of fun. The studio itself – the TV always make it look bigger than it is. It was really exciting to be there. To see the show taped, it was almost surreal," Johnson told Stars and Stripes.
Communities pay tribute
Of course, Carey and the rest of "The Price Is Right" crew aren't the only ones paying tribute to the military on July 4. Communities across the country are doing the same, and one in particular stepped up to save a popular event after budget cuts threatened to shut it down, according to CBS affiliate WBTW.
Salute from the Shore has been an annual tradition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where civilians would line the coast and honor the the troops as Air Force planes fly overhead. Although sequestration grounded the F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base, volunteers helped fill the void. Organizers found volunteers who owned vintage military planes were more than willing to step up to the plate and complete the flyovers. So while it may have a different look, the Fourth of July tradition will continue in the Palmetto State.