Rockin’ 4 Heroes is packing up after our 4th annual concert to honor all First Responders, Active Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families. As November 10th ended with summer-like breezes and an amazing sunset, we said goodbye to our friends from Kentucky - the Lexington Lab Band - who flew out here to give a rare, live performance. We also said ‘so long’ to Tucson’s own Mark Miller Country band.
We are grateful for their performances, which provided the perfect musical backdrop that enhanced our hero tributes. This article is the first in a short series to share an ‘up close and personal’ glimpse at some special heroes.
Honoring our Nation
On a day that celebrated the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, the Rockin’ 4 Heroes event took time out from the music to highlight our 4 hero groups. The Golder Ranch Drummers & Bag Pipes escorted representatives from many hero groups onstage. A flag line was created by the American Legion Riders, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Following a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, performed by Shaun McClellan, the crowd marveled at a flyover with a C-130 Hercules aircraft and two Apache helicopters from the 355th Wing out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Finally, children from the Elite Theater Academy sang America the Beautiful.
Veteran Recognition – Korea and Vietnam
While Rockin’ 4 Heroes pays tribute to all 4 hero groups always, we took time to pay a special salute to all our Veterans this year. Two Veterans were especially honored.
Retired Colonel William H. Gardner served in the US Army, completing tours in Korea and Vietnam (1957-82). Briefly, his Signal Corps assignments included fixed and rotary wing flight schools and involvement with the 11th Air Assault Division. The Colonel transferred to Military Intelligence in 1970 with assignments at the Army Security Agency headquarters, Command and General Staff College and served as the Pentagon’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. He retired in 1982, having flown 3,536 hours, of which 352 were combat hours. His awards include, but are not limited to, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and Korean Army Aviator Wings. In 1991, Colonel Gardner was inducted into the Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. His career and awards are far more vast than can be allotted here, so we encourage you to ‘look him up.’
Sergeant Thomas Boyle was also specially honored, having served in the US Army during Vietnam (1966-69). He was assigned to the 41st Combat Engineering Division and served as a combat engineer, surveying grounds and creating maps for the building of bridges and other structures. The Sergeant’s division took enemy fire while performing these duties, which earned the entire division the Silver Star. He was injured twice during his service, resulting in the award of two Purple Hearts.
Sergeant Boyle’s second injury sent him stateside to an Army hospital where he spent almost a year in rehab. Following his discharge, he opened the first Vietnam Veterans home in NY State – the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence – which is still operating to help Veterans today! He also founded the American Patriot Memorial that represents Veterans of local and state governments and helped with the Tucson Veterans Memorial and Gold Star Park. We encourage you to also look up Sergeant Boyle’s distinguished career and dedicated work that continues to serve the Veteran community regionally and nationally.
Rockin’ 4 Heroes Special Friends in Attendance
Some special friends were able to attend from near and far. David Seia, Chair of the Arizona Veterans Cemetery Foundation and an Air Force Veteran, brought in Don Sloane and Gaeton ‘Gate’ Briseno. Don Sloane is an Army Veteran who served during WWII and was assigned as a member of the Military Police in Paris. He currently owns Miller’s Surplus Store in Tucson and reports to work daily. Gaeton ‘Gate’ Briseno is a Korean War Veteran, having served in the US Army as a Sergeant of Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon. He battled at Punch Bowl, Heart Break Ridge, Bloody Ridge, and Outpost Queen. He was on the battlefield the day of the Armistice and earned a Bronze Star. Rockin’ 4 Heroes was honored to be in their presence.
We were also honored to have several Gold Star parents in attendance: Sheron Jones, President of the Southern Arizona Gold Star Mothers (son: Darrel D. Kasson – NGAAZ) and Gold Star Father, Skip Moen, also from Tucson (son: Robert “Charlie” Hammett – US Army). Mark and Nancy Clay visited from Missouri (son: Kale Clay – US Army) and Janice and Charlton Chance flew in from Maryland, where Janice serves in the Gold Star Mothers Maryland Chapter (son: Jesse Melton III - USMC). Zelda Billingsley and her sister traveled from Virginia (son: Tramaine J. Billingsley - US Army). We were grateful for their attendance and that we could honor their sons who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Stay Tuned...
Yes, November 10th of 2024 was a special day, indeed. We invite you to visit our social media platforms where we continue to upload images and videos of this unique and uplifting event:
All net proceeds generated from this concert were deposited into the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Hero Fund, allowing us to support existing programs and initiatives that align with our mission and create new scholarship opportunities for our public servants. We accept donations year-round and encourage you to consider donating through our secure online platform that can be found on our website. Our mission to support our heroes continues long after the music ends!
We, again, thank the Town of Oro Valley and our many sponsors and volunteers for their support of the 4th Annual Rockin’ 4 Heroes concert. We couldn’t have done it without you ALL! On a final note, Rockin’ 4 Heroes reminds you that December 14th is Wreaths Across America Day. We hope you will consider spending time remembering our fallen heroes, sponsoring a wreath, and/or volunteering to lay wreaths at Evergreen, East Lawn Palms, or Holy Hope cemeteries in Tucson. Stay tuned for Part II of this series as we share even more about some local heroes who were recognized for their past, current, and future service.
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