Country Music Star's Photo of Praying Soldier Goes Viral
A country music singer's powerful photo of a soldier praying with a man at an airport has swept the internet this week.
Sunny Sweeney, who sings hit songs such as "Bad Girl Phase" and "From a Table Away," witnessed the moving moment when a man approached a soldier to thank him for his service before asking to pray for his safety over the weekend. The singer was so touched that she photographed the interaction and shared it on Twitter with her over 58K followers.
"I just watched this whole thing go down in an airport and felt like sharing it with you," the singer wrote on Sunday, Oct. 5. "This young military man, Michael (full name was on his backpack) was standing here about to board a plane and a random man walked up and said thank you for your service. Then asked if he could pray for his safety."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
In Sweeney's photo, the two men are featured standing before a window with their heads bowed in prayer with the civilian's hand placed on the soldier's shoulder. The powerful moment left Sweeney emotional.
"I started crying of course just watching this nice end to a crappy day unfold on my 16 hour cross country flight, but Americans never cease to amaze me," the Texas native wrote.
Furthermore, Sweeney wished that the post would "find its way to the man pictured here in uniform to show how many people are praying for you and wishing you good thoughts and safe travels." Fortunately, a few hours later, the singer's post did reach Michael Barth of Washington state. He told Sweeney he is a country music fan but did not realize who Sweeney was.
"It was awesome that you took this picture," he wrote on Facebook. "I honestly [am] a huge country music fan! I didn't realize who you were! I'll always remember you as the really nice lady in the airport. And rite after I got home I told my family about it but I didn't know you were famous!! Haha anyway thank you for the picture I'll never forget it."
In response to Barth, Sweeney wrote, "Well, you made my whole day! I had a really crappy day, and there I was crying in the Las Vegas airport watching two complete strangers in this very special moment. Thank you again!"
Sweeney was not the only one overcome with tears at the sight of the soldier's prayer. The singer's post was flooded with comments and photos of loved ones, both living and dead, who served the U.S. armed forces. Today, the post has over 500 comments and twice as many "likes."
