Middleburg, VA (Top40 Charts/ Boulder Crest and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes) World-renowned Tenor Anthony Kearns, a founding member of The Irish Tenors, and former champion jockey Sean Clancy, headlined a tribute to U.S. military and their families on Saturday, March 1, 2014 in anticipation of the Irish season at the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Va. An impressive cross section of guests from across the Washington, D.C. area attended the event, which took place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., to benefit two leading charitable organizations for America's wounded military service members, veterans and their families - Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.
"Salamander Resort & Spa was proud to kick off our
Spring season with this event. We thank the very talented Anthony Kearns for being a part of this special tribute, the first of its kind at the resort, and for everyone who contributed to its success," said Trey Matheu, general manager of Salamander Resort & Spa who spoke on behalf of Salamander's leadership. Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, also attended the event.
Mr. Kearns said, "I was pleased to perform at the new Salamander Resort & Spa to benefit two worthy military charities." Last year, Kearns performed as the guest of General
Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in tribute to Medal of Honor recipients, and at the World War II Memorial to honor the nation's "Greatest Generation." He also opened the televised
National Memorial Day
Parade in Washington, D.C. - the largest in the nation - among other appearances for U.S. military and their families.
David Walker, president and CEO of the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes said, "We are absolutely thrilled with the event, from the hospitality shown by Salamander Resort, to the outstanding performance by Mr. Kearns and accompanist Patrick Healy. And the wonderful support of all of our attendees and sponsors. It was truly an exquisite and inspiring evening of song and patriotism."
"Boulder Crest Retreat was honored to have partnered with the teams from the beautiful Salamander Resort and the Coalition to Support America's Heroes. The performance by Mr. Kearns was simply extraordinary," said Ken Falke, founder of Boulder Crest Retreat. "It was a wonderful way to come together and show gratitude to those who serve and have served."
Said Clancy, the evening's emcee, "I was deeply honored to be asked to be part of this event to benefit our nation's wounded military members and veterans. In addition, Anthony Kearns did a magnificent job, yet again." Clancy, who is the owner ST Publishing, Inc., is a former professional steeplechase jockey who became the 10th highest winner of all time upon his retirement in 2000. Clancy and Kearns last teamed up in August 2013 for a gala hosted by
Saratoga WarHorse, an organization in
Saratoga Springs, NY that pairs retired racehorses with wounded veterans suffering from PTSD. Before the event, Kearns and Clancy were interviewed by the
National Defense
Radio Show: bit.ly/1hOuPz4.
"On behalf of Veterans Management Services, Inc., we are proud to have served as the presenting sponsor for such a fine evening with the talented Mr. Kearns," said Shane Moore, CEO of Veterans Management Services, Inc. "This was a wonderful opportunity for us to support two incredibly worthwhile charities - Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes."
In addition to presenting sponsor Veterans Management Services, Inc., major event sponsors included A-T Solutions and American Target Advertising, Inc.
Virginia Senator Mark Warner, who could not attend the event personally, offered his support in a letter to the charities, in which he said, "I am humbled by your commitment to serving our country in every way. I am also thankful to the military families and friends who sacrificed every day to support your activities... On this important occasion, I am very pleased to join with your families, friends and community in wishing you the very best for a fulfilling and successful event."
Guests filled the Middleburg Ballroom of Salamander Resort, which was recently opened by
Sheila C. Johnson, famed entrepreneur and President and CEO of Salamander Hospitality, in August 2013. The event featured two sets of song by Mr. Kearns and his accompanist, Patrick Healy, and a VIP reception after the main event with Irish-inspired cocktails and desserts by renowned Salamander pastry chef, Jason Reaves, who won the Food Network's LEGO Cake Challenge.
During his performance, Kearns drew from a selection of patriotic and inspirational favorites, including Irish ballads such as: "Kitty of Coleraine"; "How Are Things in Glocca Morra," from the Broadway production of Finian's Rainbow; "Trottin' to the Fair"; "The Meeting of the Waters" by
Thomas Moore, and the beloved, "Danny Boy." Other songs included: "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," from Les Misérables; the famous Neapolitan song, "Funiculi, Funicula"; "Birds Songs at Eventide," by English composer Eric Coates"; and "Vienna, City of My Dreams," by Austrian composer, Rudolf Sieczynski. Kearns also performed "
God Bless America" as a rousing grand finale.
Money raised from the event will support Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness in Bluemont, Va., and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, in Leesburg, Va. Boulder Crest Retreat is a 37-acre rural retreat that provides free accommodations and recreational and therapeutic activities and programs to help wounded military service members, veterans and their families reconnect and recover. www.bouldercrestretreat.org. The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes provides financial assistance and programs to wounded military members and veterans that includes emergency financial assistance and national employment resources. www.saluteheroes.org.
