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FESTIVAL
ORGANIZERS ANNOUNCE NAMES OF WOUNDED HEROS ATTENDING
(Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina . August 25, 2009) ... Organizers
of the inaugural Grand Strand Freedom Festival announced
today the names of a dozen American soldiers who will be
participating in the inaugural event, which will be held
Friday, September 11th through Sunday, September 13th.
Eight
of the soldiers suffered severe injuries during their tours
of service in Iraq, including SFC Sean Bennett who has just
launched a promising career as a singer/songwriter. Bennett
is scheduled to perform as guests prepare for the Concert
for America by the Long Bay Symphony on September 11th at
La Belle Amie Vineyard. The event is free to the public.
Also performing that evening will be SGT Daniel Jens - 1st
Cav Division PAO, who placed 11th in this years America's
Got Talent on NBC Television.
Day
two of the Festival takes place at Freestyle Music Park,
which will open at 11am that Saturday. Sgt Vicki Golding,
Sgt in the Army National Guard will sing the national anthem
to start the Parade of Patriots, which will include a motorcycle
unit from Rolling Thunder (veterans), from the Blue Knights
(police); the Red Knights (fire & rescue), all the heroes
from Operation First Response and the marching bands from
Aynor, Conway, Carolina Forest, Loris and North Myrtle Beach
high schools.
BOOST
co-founder and president Robert Kelley, speaking on behalf
of his members and Festival Co-Sponsors, noted "We
are honored - we are privileged - to welcome these true
American heroes as we remember the victims and first responders
on September 11th - and honor the brave men and women of
our Armed Forces - veterans and active duty alike. I implore
each of you to read their stories and to come and meet each
of them personally during the festival."
Transportation,
accommodations and meals for the soldiers and, in some cases
their families, has been arranged by members of BOOST through
Operation First Response, created in 2003 by founder Peggy
Baker to "support our wounded heroes and their families.
We are thrilled that BOOST and its fine co-sponsors chose
our organization for this fantastic weekend-long event."
Grand
Strand Freedom Festival Co-Sponsors include: Freestyle
Music Park, WPDE-TV15,
WWMB-TV21, WEZV
Radio, WGTR Radio, DiscoverMyrtleBeach.com.
Sponsorship information is available at GrandStrandFreedomFest.com.
Special
opportunities to contribute to Operation First Response
will be available for the public attending all the festivities
on Friday and Saturday. Saturday's activities take place
at Freestyle Music Park and include special exhibitions
and concerts by Charlie Floyd & The Southern Express,
Jeffrey Allen Edwards & Southern Blue, Billy Jo Royal
and an 8:00pm concert by Grammy Award Winner LeAnn Rimes.
Special event packaging offers a 2-Day pass to Freestyle
Music Park (Saturday & Sunday) for just $24.99 (plus
tax) and includes access to all the concerts. VIP Seating
for LeAnn Rimes limited and available for just $54.99 (plus
tax) and also includes the 2-Day park pass. For more information,
call 843-236-7625.
Musicians/Performers
SFC Sean Bennett (wounded)
SGT Daniel Jens - 1st Cav Division PAO
SGT Vicki Golding
Wounded
American Soldiers
Cpl Kevin "Andrew" Smith
PFC. Richard Kolath
SPC Henry "Austin" Phillips
Cpt. Joseph Amos
SGT. Ian Newland
PFC Paul Skarinka
Sgt Michael Marrero
1st Sgt Peter Lara
SSG Ricardo Perez
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