Veterans Honored With Concert For Valor
WASHINGTON, DC (WJZ) -- A shining moment for veterans. All eyes were on Washington DC as some of music's biggest stars led a moving tribute to servicemen and women. It's a sign of growing nationwide support for the armed forces.
Christie Ileto attended the Concert For Valor, the first event of its kind raising awareness for veterans.
When you think about it, it's really all about the music and honoring our veterans. They say music is the international language and it's brought in people from all over. What better way to honor our veterans than with a live concert outside?
"It's such a huge event," said Staff Sergeant Loriann Demelis. "I've seen a few wounded warriors out there and that really touches my heart."
For the first time, hundreds of thousand of people poured into Washington DC to honor US veterans in song: the Concert of Valor.
"It's more for the gratitude of the people who served but for them to put on a concert like this for those---that's what it's all about," said veteran Erick Patterson.
The mission of this concert is not just to celebrate the veterans but raising awareness about veteran services and the support needed to keep them in operation.
"As a new person who's now looking to reorganize the Veterans Administration and also that they're doing something positive for us out here today," said Roxanne Hurcles.
In the Baltimore/DC area, hundreds of thousands of veterans benefit from these services and many people say we must sacrifice to make sure the men and women who serve for our freedom are supported.
"The cause of freedom isn't free. Everybody has to take a stand for something," said Patterson.
"My dad was a veteran but he passed so that's really why I wanted to come," said Phoebe Brown.
The common theme was gratitude for veterans.
Because the event is free, organizers urged attendees to donate to causes that help veterans.
"They need more help. They're not getting the help they need," said one woman.
"It was real exciting to get to experience this. There's so many people who I've wanted to see in concert and now I get to see them in one event," said Maddie Mcnamee.
WJZ got to see some early soundchecks.
"You better believe I'm here to see Carrie Underwood. She's my girl; I love her," said a fan.
The Concert For Valor featured artists like Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem and Carrie Underwood. Hollywood actors Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Jamie Foxx also attended. The event will be aired on HBO. However if you don't have HBO, you can stream it for free online.
About 12,000 seats were reserved for members of the military.
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