Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ Webster & Associates) The legendary Charlie Daniels was surprised while hosting a special free concert last night to support Lipscomb University's Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program as part of the Charlie Daniels' Scholarship for Heroes event. Fellow patriots and country stars, the multi-platinum, multi-award winning chart-topper
Jason Aldean and the GRAMMY® award-winning
Lee Greenwood walked unannounced onto the stage to offer their support for our military. The concert also featured return performances by
Chris Young and The Grascals, as well as Keni Thomas, Bleach and
Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Sparky Matejka, and included a presentation with Mary Byers, President of Gold Star Mothers, Inc., an organization of mothers who have lost sons or daughters while in service of their country.
"The motto for the USO is 'until they all come home.' Last night's event at Lipscomb addressed the fact that many did not come home," explained Greenwood. "I'm proud to have been a part of this event and congratulate my friend Charlie Daniels for being a leader in our Nashville community."
Daniels, a staunch supporter of the military, was pleased with the event and the support by the community. Corporate sponsors and donors included iostudio, Humana, Waltrip Brothers' Charity Championship, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store,
Twice Daily, Bridgestone, Chase, Operation Homefront, Clear Channel, Dollywood, Shofner Vision Center, Trauger & Tuke, Glover Group Entertainment, SunTrust and DSI.
"We have so many heroes whose needs fly below our radar," said Daniels. "This shouldn't be happening and this event is helping to make sure it doesn't."
For more information on Lipscomb University's Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program, call 615-966-5176 or visit lipscomb.edu/campuslife/veterans.
ABOUT THE FEDERAL YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM:
In 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill was established as an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001. It is administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Based on a veteran's length of service, he or she may be eligible to receive the cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state institution of higher education.
ABOUT LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY'S YELLOW RIBBON ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM:
For veterans who qualify for 100 percent of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, Lipscomb University has committed to allocate the necessary funds to allow them to earn a tuition-free undergraduate degree through the Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program. The university also offers qualifying student veterans a variety of graduate degrees tuition-free or at a greatly reduced tuition rate. Lipscomb University officials believe strongly in helping open doors for student veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Since its inception in fall 2009, Lipscomb's Yellow Ribbon Program has grown from 20 original participants to more than 150 veterans enrolled this spring. Students have performed well academically with 71 percent of currently enrolled student veterans maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, with 13 percent of those maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. "Our veterans know that freedom isn't free, but we think their education should be. At Lipscomb we have a very unique opportunity to help open doors for our veterans through higher education," said Jim Humphrey, Assistant Dean of Campus Life and
Director of Veterans Services at Lipscomb.
For more information about Lipscomb University's Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program, call 615-966-5176 or visit veterans.lipscomb.edu.
