ConcertsForTroops.org, Inc.
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"Thanks again for all the terrific support you provide our Warriors and their Families!" - Colonel Terrence McKenrick (U.S. Army) Commander, 192nd Infantry Brigade
"Thank you SO MUCH for a day we will not forget! The music rocked! I work with true heroes who are defending our great nation everyday and those that give back to them are heroes of another kind. You guys are the best!" - Linda Rasnake (Walter Reed Army Medical Center)
"Thank you for what you are doing for our troops!" - Beverly Perlson (Founder, The Band of Mothers, mother of Bronze Star Recipient Army Sgt. John P. White.)
"I am proud to be friends with Concerts For Troops. Great work, you guys are heroes for what you are doing." - Michael Markuski (Son of a Korean War Marine Veteran)
"I salute you for doing this" - Scott Van Pelt (EPSN Sportscaster)
"The feeling you get playing for the troops is incredible, I'll play for them anytime, anywhere" - Blues Unchained singer Eddie Crowe
ConcertsForTroops.org, Inc., a non-profit organization, produces morale-boosting professional live music for U.S. troops and their families. It all started at Walter Reed Army Medical Center's (WRAMC) Family Fall Festival in October 2007. This inspiring event was one of the primary catalysts for the creation of ConcertsForTroops.Org and we've found the morale boosting and inspiration to be a two-way street. "There's seriously wounded troops here that are missing limbs who amazingly and selflessly just want to get back with their combat units in Iraq or Afghanistan, and they're giving us a great, great feeling with such a great response, it's just amazing", said Founder and Music Director Bobby 'Blue' Perry, who also serves as the bandleader and guitarist of the houserockin' band Blues Unchained. Blues Unchained has donated profits from their bands t-shirts sales to help raise funds, and singer Eddie Crowe adds, "the feeling you get playing for the troops is incredible, I'll play for them anytime, anywhere". The Washington Redskins, the University of Maryland's Athletic Department, The Baltimore Sports Museums (Babe Ruth Museum, Sports Legends Museums), ESPN Sportscaster Scott Van Pelt, Fox Sports Radio, Blues Unchained, and others came together to contribute donated t-shirts, souvenirs, autographed banners and more that was distributed to the troops at the concert. Read more about our awesome and humbling experience at this inspiring event here.
Alongside a team of dedicated volunteers from the Veterans Administration hospital in Baltimore, Maryland who were happy to have the help and guidance of experienced music professionals, our very own Founder and Musical Director co-produced the musical portion of the event and also performed live music with the band Blues Unchained for the Welcome Home Maryland Vets event at Ripken Stadium for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We were also joined by The Military Channel, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Baltimore Ravens star football player Jason Brown, the Baltimore Blast cheerleaders, the Baltimore Orioles and Aberdeen Ironbirds mascots, and more, including several different Army helicopters that landed in the parking lot where the public could talk to the crew and sit in the chopper themselves. Mr Greengenes, a fine cover band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joined us in the music making. The media was well represented by Comcast, WMAR-TV2, WBFF-TV45, and The Military Channel. This inspiring and humbling event on the United States Marine Corps' 232nd birthday was also one of the events that inspired the creation of ConcertsForTroops.Org. Read more about the Welcome Home Maryland Veterans event here.
With the implementation of our new website, the Tickets For The Troops program, and thanks to the generous sports fans who have made heartfelt in-kind donations of sports tickets to ConcertsForTroops.org, we've been able to help boost morale by delivering over $900 worth of sports tickets this Fall to our troops. Additionally, in kicking off it's initial fund raising campaign to support an upcoming and ongoing Concerts Series at Walter Reed and elsewhere, ConcertsForTroops.org has established partnerships with Ebay/Mission Fish, Cars4Causes, GoodSearch.com, GoodShop.com, and others. Sponsorships in support of our mission are available.
ConcertsForTroops.org, Inc. was designated as a 501c3 non-profit organization by the IRS in April, 2009, after incorporating in Maryland in June 2008.