News & Events

CINCINNATI - October 6th, 2007 - As the temperature and humidity rose Daniel Smith and his band Barnhill Crossing lit up the stage at the Heroes Celebration held Saturday at the Voice of America park in West Chester.

Members of the professional skydiving group Team Fastrax performed several demonstration jumps during the day including a 7500 square foot American Flag. As the flag came down Daniel performed his song "Thank You - a tribute to the American Soldier" along with a medley of patriotic tunes.

The event which included .38 Special and Rozzi fireworks was viewed by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan via a live satellite feed. In addition several families were able to talk face to face with loved ones overseas courtesy of the Freedom Calls Foundation.

Daniel and members of Barnhill Crossing also got an opportunity to talk and sing with troops during one such call.

The day kicked off when over 300 motorcycles including members of The Patriot Guard Riders, Task Force Omega, and Rolling Thunder entered the grounds of Voice of America. The bikes rode from Aces and Eights in Mason to the event in West Chester.

There were several displays from The US Army, the USO, The Cincinnati VA, Task Force Omega, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, and The Yellow Ribbon Support Center.

The Thank You Foundation booth was a bustle of activity as visitors signed Thank You Cards to be sent in care packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and to VA Hospitals including Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After his performance Daniel greeted fans and signed autographs to include a guitar that was raffled off to raise money to support programs offered by the foundation.

Just prior to the performance of .38 Special a special reception was held to honor local Veterans attending the event. The Thank You Foundation was invited by the Heroes Fund to present Certificates of Appreciation at the reception.

Those honored at the reception included:

Colonel John Lusa - Col. Lusa retired from the U.S. Army with over 30 years of active and reserve duty and is President of the Major Samuel Woodfill chapter of the Association of the Unites States Army. Col Lusa was commissioned in 1953 from ROTC at Ohio University.

Mel Heis - Mr. Heis served with the United Sates Marine Corp from 1967-1969 and is a graduate of Western Hills and the University of Cincinnati, Mr. Heis served in Viet Nam from 1967-1969 and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle. Mr. Heis is a Chapter President of The Military Order of the Purple Heart in Cincinnati.

Anthony Kohl - Mr. Kohl served with the United States Marines from 1966-1968 and is a graduate of Xavier University. Mr. Kohl served in Viet Nam in 1967 and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle. Mr. Kohl is Commander of Chapter 3620 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Edward (Red) Vlaikov - Mr. Vlaikov served with United States Army from 1967-1969 and is an Elder High School graduate. Mr. Vlaikov served in Viet Nam in 1968 and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle. Mr. Vlaikov is a member of Chapter 3620 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Gary Griffis - Mr. Griffis served with United States Marine Corp from 1967-1969 and graduated from Western Hills. Mr. Griffis served in Viet Nam from 1967-1968 and was awarded two Purple Hearts for wounds received in battle. Mr. Griffis is a member of Chapter 3620 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Dennis McGee - Mr. McGee served with the United States Army from 1968-1970. Mr. McGee served in Viet Nam in 1969 and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle.

Jimmy Kay - Mr. Kay served with the United States Marine Corp from 1970-1976 with the 1st Marine Division Fleet Marine Force 11th Marine Regiment. Mr Kay served in Viet Nam in 1970 and was awarded a Bronze Star. Mr. Kay is active in the Marine Corp League and Task Force Omega.

Michael Westerman - Mr. Westerman is a Sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserves 377th Military Police Company and has over 10 years of service to include four years in the Marines. Mr. Westerman served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from June 2006 - May 2007.

Brian Griffith - Mr. Griffith served with the United States Marine Corp from 2000-2005 and is a graduate of Sycamore High School. Mr. Griffith served two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003- May 2003 and again from August 2004 - April 2005.

Related Links

The Heroes Fund

Freedom Calls

Daniel Smith Offial Web Site

Daniel Smith My Space Site

Nashville Recording Artist Daniel Smith and Barnhill Crossing

A young patriot

Team Fastrax jump 7500 sqaure foot American Flag

One of over 300 patriotic motorcycle riders

Event attendees sign Thank You cards for the troops

Daniel and a fan

Thank You Foundation volunteer Lauren Hill

Heroes Reception honorees with Daniel Smith