Cries of “God bless America” and “God bless our troops” rang out loud and clear in Allen Arena during Operation Yellow Ribbon recently.
Lipscomb presented recording artists and some special military guests for a fundraising event for the Yellow Ribbon Program on March 23.
The G.I. Bill was passed after Sept. 11, 2001, to ensure that people leaving the military could pursue a college education at any state university at no cost. Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program pays the difference between Lipscomb tuition and what a state university education costs in Tennessee, about $7,000.
The evening was not short on entertainment. Among the artists who performed were Larry Gatlin, Gretchen Wilson, Amy Grant, Kix Brooks (of Brooks & Dunn), Charlie Daniels and Lipscomb’s A Cappella choir.
Each artist made a point to mention his/her great appreciation for members of the military.
Major Dan Rooney, founder of the Folds of Honor foundation. credit:Whitney Jarreld
“It just feels good to love on people who have served you,” Grant said.
Brooks spoke on how emotional it was to play a concert the day after Sept. 11, 2001, near Shanksville, Pa., where United Airlines Flight 93 went down. He also spoke of his own personal visits to the Middle East.
“I wish every American had the opportunity to see the good work that’s been done,” Brooks said.
Daniels also commented on Americans’ attitudes today versus in years past.
“Back during the ‘hippie days’ we had a lot of disrespect for the flag, the country, and all things American,” Daniels said. “But, the spirit of patriotism has always been there.”
Thirty Lipscomb students are enrolled through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Each of them made contact first with David Hughes, retired army captain and Lipscomb’s official veteran’s liaison.
David Hughes, Lipscomb's veterans liaison and a retired captain in the Army. credit: Whitney Jarreld
“My job isn’t only to talk about university life, but to help veterans make the transition back to living as students and as civilians,” Hughes said. “The best part of my job is that I get to tell people they can go to college for free.”
The night also featured prominent military leaders, including Gen. B.B. Bell who was able to introduce Charlie Daniels, one of his good friends.
Major Dan Rooney spoke about his charity, Folds of Honor, which raises funds through private donations and golf tournaments to provide scholarships for spouses or children of military injured or killed during service.
Keynote speaker Gen. Tommy Franks spoke on life in the military and even made a few humorous points.
“I never knew an atheist in a foxhole,” Franks said.
He generated loud applause when he contrasted Nashville and Washington, D.C.
“I like to come here to Nashville because they talk slow and think fast, and that’s exactly the opposite of how they do it in Washington,” Franks said. “The three most important things in life are family, faith, and the American flag.”
President Randy Lowry was presented with the 2010 Tennessee Leadership Award by the Nashville Marines. Lowry pledged to provide safety, support and the finest education possible for the veterans in the program.
Walt Leaver, vice president for university relations, was instrumental in implementing the Yellow Ribbon Program. See Dale Lipscomb’s feature on Leaver here.
The following Soundslides project was created by Heather Gleason.