Musical group consisting of former soldiers to perform at TPC Sawgrass

This year's Military Appreciation Day at THE PLAYERS Championship will feature Tim McGraw, a Blue Angels flyover and several well-known guest speakers. There are four other special guests who will also take part in Wednesday's ceremony at TPC Sawgrass -- and they're gaining national attention.

A new musical group, called 4TROOPS, consists of four former soldiers who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. This talented quartet will sing in front of fans and their fellow servicemen and women at TPC Sawgrass.

The group has already made an appearance on "Good Morning America" and has visited bases around the country, including Fort Hood, Fort Sam Houston and Fort Bragg, so they aren't strangers to big crowds. As their name suggests, the four singers are hoping to sell their new album and tour the country to raise money and awareness for the troops.

"It's very rewarding for all of us. Now we're on the other side as civilians, we want to continue to recognize the job that these servicemen and women doing for the country. We're just saying thank you," said Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Ron Henry, who's in the foursome.

The four were brought together by a mutual friend. Sony asked Victor Hurtado, the Production Director for the Army Solider Show, to form a unique musical group to record a CD. He hand-picked the four members of 4Troops, who have since created an album that features well-known patriotic favorites, like "Battle Hymn of the Republic", "Grand Old Flag" and "America the Beautiful", plus country and pop songs like "Bless the Broken Road" and "Dance with my Father."

So who's in this talented foursome?

Former Sgt. Daniel Jens joined the Army after the events of Sept. 11. He served in Iraq beginning in 2007, and after returning to the U.S., became one of the top 20 acts on the third season of "America's Got Talent."

Henry spent 20 years in the military and often completed dangerous tasks as a Transporter and Transportation Manager in Iraq. He performed in the first year of Military Idol, an American Idol-type show with military contestants.

Former Sgt. David Clemo served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, plus spent a number of years as the Assistant Director of the U.S. Army Soldier Show.

The lone female in the group is Former Cpt. Meredith Melcher, who spent four years as an Army officer in the Medical Service Corps. While in Iraq, her corps helped evacuate hundreds of injured Americans and Iraqis. When she returned to the United States, she was cast in the 2004 U.S. Army Solider Show and performed for military personnel all over the world.

Henry and Melcher, both golf fans, are looking forward to their trip to TPC Sawgrass -- and can't wait to sneak in some golf while on the road during the next few months.

"We don't get out (to play golf) as often as we'd like," Melcher said. "A few times we thought we'd get out and didn't. Hopefully as the weather warms up and the days get longer, we'll have more time."

They'll perform the national anthem on Wednesday at THE PLAYERS Championship, where active, retired and reserve military members and their families get in free every day.

The group has received praise for their renditions of several popular songs on their new album, which will be released on May 11. One of the most well-known hits on their CD is country music star Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue." With Keith's blessing, they've put their own spin on it.

"Toby was gracious enough to change the words to the song," said Henry. "His version is quite bold. We wanted to tone it down but still show that we are proud of what we are doing. Our country is strong, we hold fast to the constitution of the U.S. that we protect and serve. We hope to one day do our version with him."

And it may not be long. After all, they'll perform in front of the same crowd as another country music favorite, Tim McGraw, in just a few days.