Bravo, Sean Hannity & Col. Oliver North for Tribute to Troops: Freedom Concert in AZ Exhilarating
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on August 10, 2009
Last night’s Freedom Concert in Glendale, Arizona was phenomenal. We weren’t even out of the Jobing.com Arena parking lot when my 16-year-old son asked, “Can we go to next year’s concert, Mom?”
I’ve never been around so many conservatives and patriotic folks at one time… EVER. The crowd was of all ages, races, and experiences. Many were military veterans. What we all shared was a love of America and her core principles, as well as respect and gratitude to our military troops.
Musical groups included Lee Greenwood, Charlie Daniels Band, Michael W. Smith, and Billy Ray Cyrus (my son, a recent fan of country music, was blown away with excitement by this concert, and in particular, Billy Ray Cyrus, whom he didn’t know had once been a top-charter before he became “Miley’s dad”). All performed with passion and gusto, and their musical sets were lengthy. Local radio talk host JD Hayworth (former 6-term AZ Congressman) spoke briefly before the show began.
While I was a bit disappointed that talk show host Mark Levin wasn’t scheduled for this leg of the tour, having the incomparable mimic Rich Little (yeah, he’s still alive and kickin’ and hasn’t lost his touch… he did a spot-on Ronald Reagan impersonation) perform was an unexpected thrill. And Jon Voight also spoke… didn’t expect to see Angelina’s dad! His short speech was truly inspiring.
Words can’t describe how amazing it was to see and listen to Col. Oliver North, and I was blessed to be able to meet and speak with him briefly after the nearly 4-hour show. Such an honorable, strong man who loves his country… the smear job the Democrats did on him during the Reagan administration was disgraceful.
Link to a Col. North piece I posted back in April (includes his essay against Homeland Security’s attack on military veterans and conservatives): Oliver North Speaks Out Against DHS Anti-Right-Wing Report: “I Am an Extremist”
But the energy of Sean Hannity on the stage… the absolute joy and patriotism he displayed, was what pulled this whole show together. Hannity and Col. North honored Gold Star families, those who have lost a family member in the military who was defending America’s freedom. Our fallen heroes and their families should never be forgotten.
Children of military parents who were either incapacitated or killed in the line of duty were also there—these young people had received scholarships through the Freedom Alliance organization (the proceeds from these Freedom Concerts fund the scholarship program).
Breathtaking, hilarious, entertaining, emotional, patriotic, inspiring… yes, I’m going again next year.
From Arizona’s local Fox News:
Sean Hannity Weighs In On Economy, Health Care – His message to Phoenix: “Keep going to town halls”
August 9, 2009
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Health care reform is a controversial topic, one that’s making headlines with rising opposition from many Republican voters. FOX’s Sean Hannity’s Freedom tour stopped in the valley Sunday night and he weighed in on the subject.
The conservative talk show host appeared in-person at Glendale’s Jobing arena for his Freedom concert tour, and then he stopped to talk to FOX 10 news cameras.
“We have an obligation to manage our money and our affairs for future generations,” Hannity said. “The idea that we’re going to take on nearly 20 percent of the economy, and we’re not going to thoroughly examine the cost, the implications…?”
Hannity’s guest Jon Voight is also speaking out in support of these town hall meetings.
“This is all unprecedented, the way we are right now, the way people are responding. They’re trying to denigrate the people who are showing up at these town hall meetings. And they’re the most eloquent people, because they’re very clear — they’re the people that read stuff!” says Voight.
Hannity’s final message to fans in the valley? “Keep going to those town halls, even if they do call you an angry mob!”
Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood, and Billy Ray Cyrus performed.
Related reading:
Clinging to G & G: Freedom Concert- Las Vegas and Levin!
Ned Rice, Big Hollywood: Questioning Joe Biden’s ‘Corny’ Patriotism
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Americans, Never Lose Sight of Our Heroes and Our Nation’s Greatness and Joe Biden vs. John Hancock and Theodore Roosevelt on True American Patriotism
Veterans On The Watch: Back To Blogging
Joseph C. Phillips, Big Hollywood: Why Do You Love America?
Robert Davi, Big Hollywood: Burnt Offerings: Teaching Our Children — Pride in Going Red, White and Blue
Andrew Breitbart, Big Hollywood: I Pledge to Ridicule Celebrities Who Refuse to Recognize We Are At War With People Who Want to Kill Them, Too and How Sean Penn Won the War
Big Hollywood: Michael Yon Dispatch: The Kopp-Etchells Effect
Jason Killian Meath, Big Hollywood: Bill and Kim’s Bogus Journey
Get Clued: American Heroes: Sorry, MJ, You Don’t Measure Up!
Michelle Malkin: Look who’s hijacking 9/11 and Maj. Chris Galloway, R.I.P. and Remains of Scott Speicher ID’d and Let’s mourn the real American heroes and “I have the heart of a 21-year-old Army Ranger war hero beating in me.” and Sebelius calls her SEIU “brothers and sisters” to battle; Dennis Rivera decries “terrorist tactics” and “We really are just focused on what lies ahead”
Iflove News: Gary Sinise defends the military against ‘one-sided’ filmmakers
Christian Toto, Big Hollywood: GI Film Festival: Where Hollywood Fears to Tread
Leigh Scott, Big Hollywood: Leadership: If Barack Obama is Spock, Sarah Palin is Kirk
Road2Recovery, Big Hollywood: Profiles in Courage: Army Spouse Edition
The Patriot’s Mind: A True American Hero – Navy Petty Officer Mike Monsoor
Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Heroes: Boots On the Ground Report
J.R. Head, Big Hollywood: Interview: ‘Getting it Right’ with Captain Dale Dye
Doug Powers, Michelle Malkin: Obama dismantles Bush/Cheney shadow government plan… just kidding
Robert J. Avrech, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Celebrates American Military Resolve – Flashback and Extra! Hebrew Hollywood Hottie Risks Life for U.S. Troops
Scared Monkeys: The Mystery of Missing Gulf War Navy Pilot Michael “Scott” Speicher Shot Down in 1991 is Over … Remains Identified in Iraq
Vets on the Watch: Welcome Home and I Miss Back When and Terrorism On The Homefront
Leo Grin, Big Hollywood: NBC: National Broadcasters Against Conservatives
Just Americans Making Ethical Statements Weblog: Honoring Our Heroes
Jeremy D. Boering, Big Hollywood: USO: How Hollywood Serves
Hot Air: ‘Is There Anything More Pathetic Than An Aging Hipster?’ — Jane Fonda Edition and Obama vindicates Bush, again
Gary Graham, Big Hollywood: All-American Girl and Troopathon 2009: Because They Serve
THR.com: Sinise on Patrol: One helping thousands
Fire Andrea Mitchell!: Freedom is NOT Free and Joe Biden thinks its “corny” to be proud to be an American
Big Hollywood: James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ Slams America
Federal Way Conservative: They Hate All that is Good, Beautiful
Orson Bean, Big Hollywood: Troopathon 2009: Heroism Was Expected
Burt Prelutsky, Big Hollywood: Where Are Liberals Hatched?
About the author
This is a great post !!
The noise the left wing liberals hear is U.S. Conservatives, saying enough is enough.
The thundering herd is threatening their policies and they are afraid of an educated populace. The conservatives in this great country are the thundering herd.
We will not allow them to overtake us, nor fool us.
Thank God for the conservative views displayed on the web, TV and radio, and the concert that you just attended. If you don’t come out of that show a true patriot, there’s no hope for our movement to eliminate socialistic policies that will take over our democracy.
I hope there were some “on the fence people” that are beginning to put 2+2 together
on what is happening here attending that concert.
The “silent majority” has been awakened. The “sleeping giant” is now alert, and paying attention. And the left wing libs are afraid.
Again… great post Vicki,…you are a GREAT AMERICAN !
Thank you, and you are a GREAT AMERICAN, too, AFVET!
God bless America!