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    Bucky Covington makes it about helping kids and honoring family

    Bucky Covington makes it about helping kids and honoring family

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Les Newport | Scott Spahr, left, a Gulf War veteran and Bucky Covington affix military nametapes to...... read more read more

    MORRISTOWN, IN, UNITED STATES

    09.13.2014

    Courtesy Story

    Indiana National Guard Headquarters

    MORRISTOWN, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs displayed a billboard-sized message from Hoosier veterans at the Morristown Boys and Girls Club benefit concert, Saturday, Sept. 13. The 16-foot by 40-foot award-winning banner was featured at the Indiana State Fair in 2012.

    USO entertainer and American Idol standout Bucky Covington headlined the event, along with local talent featuring the Carl Bentley Band and Bobby Wiggins.

    Covington and the other performers honored their own military family members by placing nametapes along with nearly 10,000 Hoosier veterans’ names that make up the banner.

    Scott Spahr, Boys and Girls Club director and a Gulf War veteran, said the banner provided an additional opportunity to celebrate during the six-hour festival.

    “Bucky, Carl and Bobby were all very moved by the banner,” said Spahr. “Helping our kids and honoring our veterans and their families just felt like the right mix, and it was. It was just a great evening and I appreciate everyone who made it so special.”

    Children of Indiana's military youth collected individually donated nametapes that veterans wore on their uniforms, then used the Velcro-backed nametapes to spell out the message Thank You Indiana in letters eight-feet tall.

    Scott Spahr, a Gulf War veteran and Bucky Covington affix military nametapes to a banner provide by the Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs. Covington, a USO performer and USO standout, paused his concert to include a nametape in honor of his uncle, a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.The banner hangs in the Indiana State Museum during the week of Veterans Day each year, and is occasionally on display throughout the state.

    Retired Indiana National Guard's Command Sgt. Maj. James Brown, director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, said he knows many of the thousands of names represented on the banner.

    “The message is a sincere one from our veterans and their families. The citizens of Indiana hold a lot of values dear, but they are most resolute in how well we take care of those who serve,” said Brown.

    Brown said the banner is also a reminder to veterans throughout the state to continue to stay connected through their local veterans service officer, especially if they need assistance.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.13.2014
    Date Posted: 09.16.2014 14:09
    Story ID: 142307
    Location: MORRISTOWN, IN, US

    Web Views: 119
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN