Waukegan concert to help local wounded vets
Her son came back from Iraq without physical injuries, but when Anna Sherony heard about others who weren't as fortunate, a mission was born.
"I just started calling hospitals to see what we could do," said Sherony, a Wadsworth resident and board member of the nonprofit Disabled Patriot Fund.
The group's latest effort culminates Saturday with a benefit concert in Waukegan, where six severely wounded veterans will be presented with fully-loaded, handicapped accessible vehicles.
Wounded Navy SEALS and Marines landed Thursday at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling for a weekend of events.
The main attraction is country music artist Rockie Lynne, an Army veteran whose song "Red, White and Blue" is played at every memorial service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He'll play Saturday at Sundance Saloon in Waukegan.
Lynne, whose debut single "Lipstick" was a No. 1 country hit for 10 weeks, served six years with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg and has performed at military bases worldwide.
He most recently completed a 21-day tour in Afghanistan, southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf. He also performs at the annual Memorial Day concert for the wounded at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"He's a generous soul, a great patriot and is absolutely dedicated to the men and women who serve this country," Sherony said.
Sundance Saloon is at 300 Lakehurst Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 available through Ticketmaster, Sundance or at the door. Call (847) 887-0858.
"All the proceeds are going right back to continue our mission to serve the heroes," Sherony said.
Five of the vehicles are being provided by the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, semperfifund.org, a national group formed in 2004.
One of the vehicles is being provided by the Disabled Patriot Fund, an Illinois not-for-profit comprised of area business leaders and local officials that provides injured vets with various forms of assistance.
"Different missions for every hero. You can't package them," Sherony said.
In this case, Motorola is providing a 12-passenger jet to bring the injured vets to the Chicago area. KeyLime Cove Indoor Water Park in Gurnee is providing complimentary rooms for the vets and discounted rooms for their families, friends and supporters. Sammons Financial Group, whose member include Midland National Life Insurance Company and North American Company for Life and Health Insurance, are sponsoring the concert.
Four Navy SEALS and two Marines will be presented with the new vehicles at the concert. The vehicles are intended to help the vets as they continue to rebuild their lives.
"They're all severely wounded," Sherony said of the recipients. "You have to ensure their American dream as they've ensured ours."