NEWS FLASHBACK
A Bipartisan Tradition of Celebrating America’s Service Members on Capitol Hill
The 2024 Annual “Kick-o4 to Summer and Tribute to Veterans and Those Who Serve” included Emotional Tributes and a Performance by Tenor Anthony Kearns.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This year’s “Summer Kick-off and Annual Bipartisan Tribute to Veterans and Those Who Serve” was held on Tues., June 25, 2024, at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC., with a performance by world-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns in a moving tribute to the veterans of World War II and beyond. Mr. Kearns was accompanied by Jon Laird.
The program was emceed by Kevin Corke, Fox News Senior National Correspondent (formerly NBC News, ESPN). The evening commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day) in June 1944. The room – named after Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe, who led the successful D-Day invasion to liberate Nazi-occupied Europe – was decorated with long-stemmed red roses, signifying the love, loyalty, and gratitude that America holds for America’s World War II D-Day veterans and all who serve.
“Tonight, we recognize the great warriors among us, as well as the nonprofits that support them,” said Corke. “This annual event celebrates service to our great country – in uniform, public office, and/or both. We also pay tribute to those who support our warriors in the aftermath of battle by treating the visible and invisible wounds of war.”
The powerful lineup included Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher of the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Rep. James Baird (R-IN), 2023 Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Paris D. Davis, U.S. Army (Ret.), WWII Veteran Dave Yoho of the Merchant Marines (Ret.), ex-POW Col. Michael Brazelton, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), the U.S. Air Force Color Guard, and others. Distinguished guests came from Capitol Hill and beyond, including representatives from NATO and the Library of Congress to name a few.
“With 16 million people in uniform, our country had to be and was unified. The unparalleled patriotism we felt propelled us to success,” said Mr. Yoho. “Each generation of military service members has defended and fortified our nation’s strength, and by honoring them, we acknowledge their timeless dedication and sacrifice. Our society owes a debt of gratitude to them – which includes never forgetting their selfless actions.”
Another program highlight was the introduction of Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Paris Davis by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher.
Davis received the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions on June 18, 1965, displaying exemplary heroism during a 19-hour battle in Vietnam. Over the course of two days, Davis selflessly led a charge to neutralize enemy emplacements, called for precision artillery fire, engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, and prevented the capture of three American soldiers (Robert Brown, John Reinberg, and Billy Waugh) while saving their lives with a medical extraction. Davis sustained multiple gunshot and grenade fragment wounds and refused to leave the battlefield until his men were safely removed. Deputy Secretary Bradsher said Colonel Davis’s leadership, courage, and sense of duty “are second to none.”
“Colonel Davis’s service to this country didn’t end after he took off the uniform. For 30 years, he served as an example of advocacy giving a voice to the civil rights movement and Black Americans through his contribution to The Metro Herald. It is my great honor and privilege to know him,” said Bradsher.
The evening’s Congressional emcee was U.S. Congressman James Baird (R-IN), another decorated Vietnam combat veteran who received the Bronze Star with a “V” device and two Purple Hearts for his distinguished and heroic service.
Rep. Baird, a House Foreign Adairs Committee member, said, “Tonight, as we immortalize the sacrifices of the American soldier throughout the generations, I am proud to represent my fellow veterans who have answered the call to serve in the United States Congress. This bipartisan annual event is always on my calendar because it honors service, and the bonds of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism that go beyond party affiliation.”
Another notable moment came during the “Presentation of the Puppy” as Jennifer Wilder of the Warrior Canine Connection introduced WCC’s “Paris” to his namesake hero, Colonel Davis. Born into a litter of 10 puppies, the yellow labrador retriever was 13.1 ounces at birth. He was nine weeks old when he met Col. Davis on June 25th and had already begun working with veterans receiving treatment for invisible wounds of war as part of WCC’s Animal Assisted Therapy Program offered at VA and DoD hospitals, Veterans Treatment Cous and other treatment centers. When he has completed his training, Paris will be placed with a veteran who requires his advanced training and skills, said Wilder.
Since its founding, WCC has supported the rehabilitation of 9,000 wounded veterans and placed over 150 assistance dogs with veterans and their families.
The event began with the U.S. Air Force Color Guard (below) presenting the American flag. U.S. Navy Chaplain Captain Brian Weigelt, who has deployed with the Marines worldwide and currently serves as executive assistant to the Chief of Navy Chaplains in the Pentagon, gave the invocation. Weigelt noted the importance of finding common ground through military service, and the “unique human-animal bond that helps humans heal.”
Also on the program was Rear Admiral Charlie Williams (USN-Retired), who served from 1985 to 2018, holding command over ships and squadrons, deploying to Japan and Singapore as a part of the Seventh Fleet. Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance, representing his uncle, Wilbur Williams, a decorated WWII D-Day Veteran featured during the June 2019 Tribute. Private First-Class Wilbur Williams was commissioned to the U.S. Navy on Jan. 16, 1942, serving on the USS Doran DD634 and on the USS Jeffers DD621. He participated in the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, as well as the invasion of Southern France. “His bravery and courage made our country and world a safer and more prosperous place to live,” said Admiral Williams.
Tenor Anthony Kearns’s astounding musical performance completed the evening. An original member of the PBS super-group, The Irish Tenors, Mr. Kearns has become known as “Washington’s favorite tenor.” He has performed for four U.S. Presidents, three Speakers of the House, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, earning the acclaimed title. Mr. Kearns performed two sets of songs, including the inspiring song, “You Raise Me Up,” and a lively rendition of the patriotic “God Bless America.”
“Music has the power to unite people, and tonight, singing ‘God Bless America’ and other crowd favorites helped me highlight the love, honor, and respect for America expressed throughout the evening,” said Kearns.
The celebration concluded with a champagne toast to Colonel Paris and the U.S. Armed Services, past and present. Guests also enjoyed a whiskey toast led by Admiral Williams and Honorary Colonel James Tierney of the Fighting 69th Army Regiment (New York), accompanied by Irish Wolfhounds. The whiskey was provided by The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey.
Ms. Kirsten Fedewa, whose firm organized the event, said: “Tonight’s program was a moving tribute to America’s war heroes and those who serve. I am especially grateful to Anthony Kearns and Kevin Corke for the outstanding roles they played. I congratulate Colonel Paris Davis on the naming of service puppy, WCC Paris, who will memorialize his exemplary service for a long time to come.”
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