Taylor Swift Pays Tribute to Dead Marine
Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Taylor Swift will pay tribute to a fallen Marine by donning his dog tags in her next music video for her upcoming album expected to be released later this year.
Sgt. Wade Wilson of Normangee, Texas was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month and his colleague and friend Cpl. Josh Marreel posted an emotional tribute to Wilson asking if Swift would "think about him."
"This is a shout out to the one and only Taylor Swift. I know you have no idea who I am but this video isn't about me. This is about a good buddy, Sgt. Wade D. Wilson, who was killed in action (on) Friday May 11, 2012 in Afghanistan. Anybody who knew Willy knew that he worshiped you. He even slept with a poster of you in between our beds in Afghanistan," Marreel says in the video.
"This guy was my best friend. I know a lot of people get on here and ask celebrities to go to dances with them … All I'm asking is for you to think about him," he added.
The 22-year-old singer, who was nominated for Best New Artist at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, reached out the family of Wilson, sending flowers and offering a personal note.
"Wade, thanks for loving my music. I won't forget it and I will never forget you. All my love, Taylor Swift," the note read.
Swift also called the family to offer her condolences and asked if she could wear Wilson's dog tags in her next video, to which the family of the fallen 22-year-old Marine agreed.
Just days ago, Swift was honored at the Billboard Music Awards as Woman of the Year.
"I'm so humbled and honored by this," the six-time Grammy-winner told the audience.