Today is Veterans Day.
Across America, communities will pause to recognize the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Some served in peacetime. Some went to war. Some served for several years and returned to civilian life. Others made military service a career.
Different generations. Different branches. Different experiences.
The common thread is service.
Today, November 11, Red, White & Bluegrass brings veterans, families and supporters together at the Jack Wilcox Theater in Plymouth, Michigan, for an afternoon and evening of American music dedicated to celebrating our nation and honoring our heroes.
Today’s Performances
There are two performances today.
The first begins at 3:00 PM, with doors opening at 2:30 PM.
The second begins at 7:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 PM.
The event features the Edgar Loudermilk Band, special opening guest Sandy Point, and a special presentation from Quilts of Valor.
For those attending in person, the Jack Wilcox Theater is located at 650 Church Street, Plymouth, Michigan 48170.
For everyone joining us online, livestream access allows viewers to participate from wherever they are.
Today We Remember the Person Behind the Uniform
Veterans Day can easily become another date on the calendar.
It should not.
Behind every uniform was a person who stepped away from ordinary civilian life and accepted an obligation larger than themselves. Behind many of those service members were spouses, children, parents and communities carrying part of that burden with them.
Some veterans returned home and transitioned easily.
Others did not.
Some built businesses, raised families, became teachers, executives, tradespeople, public servants and community leaders.
Others returned carrying injuries that could be seen.
Some carried injuries that could not.
Honoring veterans means recognizing all of them.
It also means remembering that support cannot be confined to November 11.
From Recognition to Continued Support
That is part of the reason Red, White & Bluegrass exists.
A percentage of proceeds from today’s event supports Spark Nation and its developing continuum of care for veterans.
Spark Nation is working to connect veterans with businesses, employers, veteran organizations and community resources capable of helping with employment, housing, recovery, entrepreneurship, mentorship, family stability and other needs.
The philosophy is straightforward: make the connection and complete the handoff.
Veterans should not have to navigate an endless maze of organizations alone.
Businesses, nonprofits, veteran-service organizations and community leaders all have capabilities that can contribute to that continuum. The objective is to connect those capabilities around the veteran rather than expecting the veteran to connect the system themselves.
Today’s concert helps support that mission.
If You’re Joining Us Today, Thank You
Thank you to the musicians who agreed to be part of this event.
Thank you to the organizations, businesses, sponsors, volunteers and community partners who helped make it possible.
Thank you to the people joining us in Plymouth and those watching online.
Thank you to the families who support our veterans long after military service ends.
And above all:
Thank you to America’s veterans.
Whether you served four years or forty, in combat or in peacetime, yesterday or generations ago, today is your day.
We hope Red, White & Bluegrass provides a few hours to enjoy good music, meet good people and remember that your service still matters to the country you served.
We’ll See You at the Theater
The instruments are ready.
The stage is set.
The doors open at 2:30 PM.
Today, we gather.
Today, we remember.
Today, we celebrate.
Red, White & Bluegrass — Celebrating Our Nation. Honoring Our Heroes.
For today’s event information and livestream access, visit:
Truth Trench Think Tank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute. A percentage of proceeds from Red, White & Bluegrass supports Spark Nation and its developing veteran continuum-of-care mission.
