2010 American Freedom Festival San Diego

1st Annual American Freedom Festival San Diego
May 29, 2010
USS Midway Museum, San Diego, CA

The American Freedom Foundation presented the 1st Annual American Freedom Festival San Diego, which was held aboard the USS MIDWAY MUSEUM in San Diego harbor in Saturday, May 29, 2010.  American Freedom Foundation co-founder, Sergeant Major of the Army Jack L. Tilley (retired), with able assistance from actress and AFF Board Member, Karri Turner, hosted the event, which paid tribute to the men and women of America's Armed Forces.  More than 500 enthusiastic military supporters packed the flight deck of the USS Midway to feast on a old-fashioned country BBQ dinner, hear country music superstar RONNIE MILSAP and enjoy the intimate music of Nashville songwriting greats SAM and ANNIE TATE, GEORGIA MIDDLEMAN and GARY BURR.  Also appearing was 2009 Miss California, KRISTY CAVINDER.  This tribute, which brings honor and awareness to the great sacrifices the men and women of America's Armed Forces undergo everyday to preserve our freedom, benefited the Veterans Village of San Diego, Big Brother Big Sisters of San Diego County - Operation Bigs Program, San Diego Armed Services YMCA and United Through Reading.

The evening started off with a moving tribute to our Fallen Heroes with a ceremony that left everyone speechless.  The joint honor guard headed up by National Guard member Sgt. Carl Trujillo performed movements to a script written by and so eloquently delivered by Ms. Laurel Tsirimokos that represented various traditions of the military estate.  What a great way to pay tribute to our military and get things started.  After the invocation by Pastor David Plank, SMA invited everyone to begin dinner.

In keeping with tradition, various presentations and acknowledgements to those who fight to keep us free were made throughout the dinner.  $10,000 checks were presented to the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, represented by Ms. Brittany Catton, the organization’s development and public relations director; United Through Reading, represented by Chairwoman of the Board, Ms. Dianne Ratzel; Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County – Operation Bigs program, represented by Mr. Paul Palmer, President and CEO; and Veterans Village of San Diego, represented by President and CEO, Mr. Phil Landis.  

Mr. Mike Buchen of SKYDEX Technologies, Inc., our presenting sponsor and major American Freedom Foundation supporter, was brought up on stage by SMA Tilley with Catherine Kurchinski, who told a moving story about her husband who died from radiation exposure from a nuclear accident during his tour of duty as a Chief in the Navy during Desert Storm.  It was quite impactful!

SMA Tilley and Karri then brought out Cliff Dumas and Brooks O’Brian from our radio sponsor, KSON, to introduce RONNIE MILSAP.  He delivered a magnificent performance that had everyone spellbound.  Milsap is truly a legend and one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

The After Party in the hangar deck of the USS Midway was a highlight of the evening as songwriting greats, SAM and ANNIE TATE, GEORGIA MIDDLEMAN and GARY BURR performed their numerous hits with great audience enthusiasm and participation.

It was an amazing event and evening with great entertainment, moving tributes to our military and recognition of the many fine organizations and causes that do such unbelievable work on behalf of our veterans, military service members and their families. 

Many thanks go out to the staff and crew of the USS Midway lead by RADM Mac McLaughlin (retired) who provided great assistance and wonderful hospitality to all our guests. 

All photographs courtesy of Erin O'Leary - eoleaphotography.com