Legion hits the main stage at Tree Town
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The American Legion got some great exposure May 23 in front of thousands of country music fans at the Tree Town Music Festival in Forest City, Iowa. In between the sets of Danielle Bradbury – a previous winner of NBC’s “The Voice” – and the chart-topping Eli Brown Band, a Legion contingent appeared on the main stage to be recognized by festival master of ceremonies Joe Denim.
Denim praised the Legion for its work in supporting veterans and the military. American Legion Past National Commander Dave Rehbein encouraged veterans in the crowd to join the Legion. “By just being a member, you’re part of what’s going to happen on this stage in a little bit,” Rehbein said.
Immediately following the on-stage appearance, Legion-supported Soldier’s Wish presented an all-terrain wheelchair to Army Staff Sgt. Greg Foster. A decorated Green Beret who served three tours in Afghanistan, Foster was seriously injured in a non-military parachuting accident. He’s spent time recovering at Womack Army Medical Center and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
The wheelchair will allow Foster to go places he’s not been able to go since his injury. “(The new wheelchair) has changed our life dramatically because we are very limited to where we can go right now,” said Colleen Foster, Greg’s wife. “Now we’re going to be able to go to the beach, the woods again, hunting, fishing. It’s just changed everything.
“It’s almost like a dream. For the past three years, every day has been therapy (and) the hospital, and something like this coming into our life is a blessing.”
The wheelchair was presented by Soldier’s Wish through a joint donation from Freedom Mobility and Kovach Building Enclosures.
“I tell people that this started out as a business but has turned into a ministry,” said Ron Bush, director of marketing and one of the owners of Freedom Mobility. “I’ve met so many of these guys that have sacrificed so much, and when you go and see their faces and see them light up … it’s overwhelming.”
Kovach owner Steve Kovach IV agreed. “I know we’re going to change a life,” he said. “We’re going to change their whole family’s life. It’s going to make a difference.”
Kevin McDugle, executive director of Soldier’s Wish, said Tree Town is a great venue to show the kind of work his organization is doing. “To have an opportunity to thank a soldier in front of a crowd like that – and to get them behind what we’re doing – is huge,” he said. “But it’s even more huge (for Foster). For me, it’s such a joy to see the faces light up when you grant a wish. To see a crowd like this moved … it’s a win.”
On the same day, another wish was granted by the Legion and Soldier’s Wish. Gwendolyn Kennedy, a 90-percent service-connected Gulf War veteran, was able to attend the concert via Soldier’s Wish and the Legion. Kennedy has been represented by Department of Iowa Service Officer Gary Carter, who found out she wanted to go to the show and passed on the information to department headquarters.
“Her husband had wondered if we could help her out (with attending the show),” Carter said. “It was great to be able to do that.”
Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley highlighted the Day 2 and 3 performances at Tree Town, while Ben Lau, Chris Hawkeye and Morgan Frazier all played The American Legion stage.