Support from rock legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd helps American Freedom Foundation get by with more than just a little help from their friends.
Courtesy Lynyrd Skynyrd
If it wasn’t for the American Freedom Foundation and its partners, Ray Gardiner says he probably wouldn’t be here today. And the Navy family of Brian and Elizabeth Decker wouldn’t have nearly the support they need when Brian’s out at sea.
“I was down on my luck, homeless, living out of my car,” Gardiner says. “I felt worthless and I thought about suicide. But a friend told me about Interfaith Ministries and their partners, the American Freedom Foundation.
They helped me turn my life around. I feel like a whole person now. It’s pretty amazing.” As for the Deckers, because of the AFF’s support, Brian says “I’m able to know that when I’m on mission, things are taken care of here at home, and my wife has a support element here. That provides stability in our family, which is so important.”
That’s what the AFF is all about: helping those in need. Whether it’s a wounded veteran whose family needs that extra helping hand, a serviceman trying to re-acclimate into society after a few tours overseas, or someone like Ray Gardiner who needs a reason to keep living, the AFF and its partners like Interfaith Ministries, the Armed Services YMCA and others across the country are dedicated to providing financial and moral support that runs the gamut from scholarships to jobs to a shoulder to lean on and much more.
The organization’s top fund-raising efforts are big-name concerts throughout the year across the U.S., with headliners like classic rock legends Chicago and Kansas. This year, Southern rock kings Lynyrd Skynyrd headlined the American Freedom Festival at the Patriot Center in Fairfax on November 10.
Courtesy American Freedom Foundation
Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke says that the legendary band feels honored to play a show benefiting military service members, and that they hold a special place in their heart for those who have given so much of themselves to defend our country.
“You know, it’s a very special thing to do these things for our military folks because nobody knows how much these guys and gals and their families have been through,” Medlocke says. “It never hurts to take our time to give back to those who give so much, and it’s a pleasure and a real honor for us. Like we’ve been doing for many many years, we dedicate ‘Simple Man’ to all the veterans who have served, all our past, present and future vets. We do that every night and it will be a real honor to do that [at this concert].”
And on this night, not only did the boys in Skynyrd sincerely honor the nation’s veterans with their presence, they also honored the die-hard fans that have kept the faith for 30 plus years, and keep coming back year after year, with a well executed barrage of the best music that this legendary and truly time tested band has to offer. Songs from their last album before the crash, Street Survivors – including That Smell, What’s Your Name and a nice surprise roll of You Got That Right with Rickey Medlocke and Johnny Van Zant trading the Steve Gaines/Ronnie vocals – dotted the evening and clearly resonated like music from their peak, yet was easily mixed in with odes to their deep past, like Simple Man, Done South Jukin’, epic anthem Sweet Home Alabama, and live staples that included Saturday Night Special, Call Me The Breeze and Tuesday’s Gone. A way above-average version of Free Bird erupted as the obvious encore, and did not displease this lifelong Skynyrd fan nor anyone in a smaller crowd that it shoulda been. Bands like this are rare and are nurturing such a long legacy, that plus the still high skill level and a solid stage presence made it a night to remember on a number of fronts.
But the night really and truly belonged to the AFF and the military personnel in attendance. And it’s important to remember that not only does the AFF put on concerts to raise awareness, but a big part of its mission includes hiring events that provide golden opportunities for military veterans to find a job that might otherwise elude them as they try to readjust to civilian life.
Ted Hacker is the AFF’s co-founder and president, and says that despite tough economic times, the AFF continues to get the word out to those who can most benefit from their wide range of services.
“It’s been a challenge of late. Finances due to sequestration and budget cuts has directly affected the philanthropic efforts of some of our sponsors,” he says. “But we’re getting to do our third [concert] this year, plus we’ve done three hiring events and given away a million and a half dollars’ worth of scholarships. We’re creating awareness, getting jobs for veterans, and we’re helping military families with education, so it’s been a terrific year for us.”
“One guy named Ryan who just got out of the service in May had been going to other hiring events throughout the summer trying to get a job but nothing had happened. He goes to our hiring event and was offered a job. We were blown away,” Hacker notes. “Our hiring event was the catalyst that got him over the top.”
Hacker strongly emphasizes that awareness is the key and the concerts are most likely the best way for AFF to keep its mission out in front of people so those who need help the most reap the rewards.
“We want people to never forget about the services and sacrifices of our veterans, our military service members and also their spouses and families, so I think it’s just continually getting the word out and making people aware of this so they don’t ever forget,” Hacker adds. “I think as long as that happens, they’ll be able to continue to get the services they need to live full and productive lives.
We’re out there rocking and rolling, just trying to keep awareness going.”
Steve Houk writes about local and national music luminaries for vps3.washingtonlife.com and his own blog at midliferocker.wordpress.com. He is also lead singer for classic rock cover band Second Wind.
