MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2015   ■   INDUSTRY

Henry Repeating Arms, Charlie Daniels Honor War Heroes

On Wednesday night the sold-out crowd at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee was brought to a standing ovation when four war heroes were invited onstage and presented with Henry Military Service Tribute Rifles during the Charlie Daniels' 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam.

Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms, gifted the rifles to thank the veterans for their heroic contributions to our country. The presentation was made midway through The Charlie Daniels Bands' set, with Charlie standing by to greet the veterans. Imperato also presented Charlie Daniels with a customized Henry Golden Boy rifle with the Volunteer Jam logo and an inscription that reads 'Presented to Charlie Daniels- Thank you for your patriotism and all that you do for our veterans.'

As lead sponsor Henry Repeating Arms donated $200,000 to The Journey Home Project, the non-profit organization co-founded by Charlie Daniels and his long-time manager David Corlew. TJHP connects donors with veterans' organizations that do the most good in meeting the health care, education and career needs of military servicemen and women and their families.

- The honorees were Jack ten Napel, a 95-year-old WW2 Veteran who served in the USMC (!). He showed up in full uniform- incredible.

- Scott Schroeder, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient who served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, lost both legs during his final tour in Afghanistan.

- Sam Schoenheit, a USMC Staff Sergeant who was shot in the head during an ambush and later suffered a stroke. He spent last seven years accomplishing his goals of regaining his speech, ability to walk, and expression- and earning a college degree.

- Ryan Weaver, a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the U.S. Army who piloted a Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq and continues his commitment to the military by training the next generation of Army aviators and officers at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

The concert was massive and included surprise guests Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jamey Johnson and Blackberry Smoke; and scheduled performers by Wynonna, Terri Clark, The Charlie Daniels Band, Ted Nugent, Trace Adkins, Alabama, Terri Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus, Colt Ford, The Grascals, Lee Greenwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ryan Weaver, Craig Morgan, Lee Roy Parnell, Billy Dean, Michael W. Smith, Travis Tritt, Phil Vassar, Montgomery Gentry and Blackberry Smoke.

Some photos are attached (the check says $100k but Anthony was so moved during the concert he donated an additional $100k onstage). Let me know if you need more photos or would like video or information about Henry's support of the military through their Guns For Great Causes program.