Country music artist Lee Ann Womack plans to perform for troops and their families at Schofield Barracks on Thursday. Visiting Oahu as part of “A Tropic Homecoming,” sponsored by the USO, Womack will welcome home more than 3,500 troops returning from a year-long deployment in Iraq. The concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sills Airfield.

A big supporter of the U.S. military, Womack has traveled across the globe to entertain service members for years, visiting and performing in Germany, Kuwait and Iraq. In June 2006, she performed a USO concert in Vincenza, Italy, with rappers Master P and Lil’ Romeo.

“The troops have a special place in my heart,” Womack said. “Working with the USO to welcome home these brave men and women is a great opportunity for me to show them how much I appreciate their great sacrifice.”

The concert wraps up a day of events welcoming home troops assigned to the 25th Infantry Division Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 84th Engineering Battalion and 8th Military Police Brigade. In addition to the concert, activities planned for the day include hay rides, moon bounces, a pie-eating contest and a car giveaway. A USO tent will also be on site to distribute food and other resources to military families.