Oswego, NY – Oswego-based non-profit organization, Thank A Service Member, and the Fort Drum USO will host a Veteran’s Day Salute this upcoming Monday, November 8th from 5:30-8pm at The Commons at Fort Drum.
According to Peter Allen, Executive Director and Founder of Thank A Service Member, the private reception will be a special tribute to Fort Drum Soldiers and their families.
“We’re very excited to partner with the Fort Drum USO to pay tribute to the soldiers and families who have given so much for our country,” said Allen. “The event should be a great opportunity for our service members and their families to be recognized, while enjoying some entertainment and fun.”
The tribute will include appearances by the “USO Liberty Bells”, Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford, a variety of guest speakers, and a special Soldier/Family recognition ceremony.
The “Thank a Service Member” (TASM) mission is to support the needs of the military men and women who have served our country and their families. They accomplish their mission through the development of programs that focus on awareness, community involvement, tributes and appreciation ceremonies, outreach programs, and education.
Originally founded in 2006 as a grass roots initiative, TASM was designed to educate the public and to support and show appreciation to the men and women who have served our country.
“Our organization is simply about showing our gratitude to our service members and their families,” said Allen. “They deserve the praise that comes with their commitment, and we’re pleased to be able to recognize their efforts at events throughout the year.”
According to Allen, the USO Liberty Bells performing troupe, that will be entertaining at Monday’s event, is the only official chartered USO show troupe of its kind. Their four-part harmonies, solo performances, dancing and array of patriotic costumes bring cheering audiences to their feet. The group is made up of talented and dedicated Broadway and off-Broadway performers who are chosen in a competitive audition process. They entertain at corporate events, charitable benefits, high profile media events, weddings, private parties, military deployments and homecomings, veterans organizations and hospitals, aboard ships, and at military bases. Their performances feature WWII era hit songs such as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, I’ll Be Seeing You, and Thanks for the Memories, as well as the current patriotic hits of today.
Miss Teen USA will also be in attendance at the November 8th tribute signing autographs and welcoming the troops and their families. Seventeen-year-old Kamie Crawford was crowned Miss Teen USA 2010 on July 24, 2010, at the Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Before winning her first pageant title, Miss Maryland Teen USA, Kamie attended Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland. She graduated in June of 2010 with an impressive 4.0 GPA, and plans to attend the University of Alabama’s pre-med program in the fall of 2011, with hopes to eventually become a dermatologist with her own skincare and cosmetics line.
During her year-long reign as Miss Teen USA, Kamie will attend the New York Film Academy, make appearances around the country and work with charities such as Best Buddies, D.A.R.E, Girl Talk, Sparrow Clubs and Project Sunshine.
“We’re grateful to the USO Liberty Bells and Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford for being a part of the event,” said Allen. “The support for the event has been tremendous including our considerable outreach from the Upstate New York community for sponsors.” “The event sponsors will be recognized not only as supporter’s of Monday’s tribute, but as partners going forward with Thank A Service Member,” he added.
Sponsoring businesses/organizations include: National Grid, Eagle Beverage Company, Inc., Oswego County Federal Credit Union, Step One Creative, Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, Coyote Moon Vineyard, Burdick & Pearson CPA’s, Howard Orthotics and Prosthetics, Knowlton Technologies, Novelis Corp., Watertown Daily Times, FABCO, Innovated Physical Therapy Solutions, Oswego Family Physicians, M&T Bank of Watertown, Eastern Shore Associates, Burke’s Home Center, Farnham Family Services, East Coast Resorts, and River Hospital, Inc.
The event will culminate with a recognition ceremony for the troops as part of Thank A Service Member’s Military Appreciation Program.
The Military Appreciation program will focus on saying, “thank you” to the military men and women who have served the country, by presenting them with the Thank A Service Member Commemorative Coin, a lasting reminder and token of the organization’s appreciation. The coin was developed to serve as a source of pride and remembrance.
“Through our events and programs these coins are given (with a hearty hand shake) to active duty military service members, family members of deceased and fallen heroes, and military veterans,” said Allen. “It is our way of saying, “Thanks for your service to our country.”
For additional information on the November 8th event or Thank A Service Member, please contact Peter Allen at 315-402-5915, or visit online at www.thankaservicemember.org.
