On August 12, 2015 the sold-out crowd at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, was brought to a standing ovation when a group of war heroes were invited onstage and presented with Henry Military Service Tribute Rifles during the Charlie Daniels’ 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam.
Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms, gifted the rifles to thank the veterans for their heroic contributions to our country. The presentation was made midway through The Charlie Daniels Bands’ set, with Charlie standing by. Imperato also presented Charlie Daniels with a customized Henry Golden Boy rifle embellished with the Volunteer Jam logo and an inscription reading ‘Presented to Charlie Daniels- Thank you for your patriotism and all that you do for our veterans.’
As lead sponsor Henry Repeating Arms donated $200,000 to The Journey Home Project, the non-profit organization co-founded by Charlie Daniels that connects donors with the veterans’ organizations that do the most good in meeting the health care, education and career needs of military servicemen and women and their families.
“We at Henry Repeating Arms are forever indebted to those who have served our country. Although we can never repay these men and women for what they’ve done for us, these rifles and our donation are a small token of our gratitude,” said Imperato.
The honorees were:
- Jack ten Napel, a 95-year-old WW2 Veteran who served in the USMC. Mr. ten Napel survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor and went on to serve on every island in the Pacific. Out of his original outfit of about 400 men, he is one of eight who survived until the end of the war.
- Scott Schroeder, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient was recognized for serving in the U.S. Army for 26 years. During his final tour in Afghanistan in 2010 Mr. Schroeder lost both legs when his vehicle ran over a pressure plate and was blown up.
- Sam Schoenheit, a USMC Staff Sergeant was honored for his bravery after being shot in the head during an ambush and later suffering a stroke. Mr. Schoenheit spent the last seven years accomplishing his goals of regaining his speech, ability to walk, expression, and a college degree.
- Ryan Weaver, a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the United States Army was recognized for his courage during his deployment in Iraq as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot and for his continued commitment to the military upon his return from combat by training the next generation of Army aviators and officers at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
- Scott Brown, an Operation Iraqi Freedom Combat Veteran of the USMC who served with Chris Kyle and co-founded the Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit & Auction was presented with a Henry Military Service Tribute rifle on the Henry Rifles Stage in the outdoor plaza during the free show for concert-goers and bystanders.
The colossal concert featured a mega line-up of musicians including surprise guests Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jamey Johnson and Blackberry Smoke; and scheduled performances by Wynonna, Terri Clark, The Charlie Daniels Band, Ted Nugent, Trace Adkins, Alabama, Terri Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus, Colt Ford, The Grascals, Lee Greenwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ryan Weaver, Craig Morgan, Lee Roy Parnell, Billy Dean, Michael W. Smith, Travis Tritt, Phil Vassar, Montgomery Gentry and Blackberry Smoke.
For more information about Henry Repeating Arms and its products visit www.henryrifles.com or call 866-200-2354. For more information on the Charlie Daniels 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam, please visit www.bridgestonearena.com/events/detail/volunteer-jam. For more on Charlie Daniels, please visit www.CharlieDaniels.com.
About Henry Repeating Arms
Henry Repeating Arms is one of the country’s leading rifle manufacturers. Their legendary name dates back to 1860 when Benjamin Tyler Henry invented and patented the first practical repeating rifle during the Civil War. It became known as the “gun you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long.” Henry rifles went on to play a significant role in the frontier days of the American West and soon became one of the most legendary, respected and sought after rifles in the history of firearms. President Lincoln’s Henry hangs in The Smithsonian and has become a national treasure. The company’s manufacturing facilities are in Bayonne, NJ and Rice Lake, WI.
A very good thing these folks did here. I applaud their gratitude. Yes, even Henry for their donations and sponsorship. But Henry needs to make the right decision and leave NJ. How can they continue to stay there after what that part of the country has turned into? As ANTI-gun as NJ is….? At least Kahr got it right and left NY. Believe me, I understand tradition and the good people employed there, blah blah blah. But If they aren’t willing to make the tough choices to defend the very reason that they are able to be in business at all(the 2A), then, I’m sorry, your gestures are for naught. Its actually a contradiction for them to donate/support those who defend our freedoms, yet they won’t take a stand and move their operations to someplace more conducive to the very rights those folks are defending! Make sense?? It’s ok for others to make sacrifices(loose life, limb), but they won’t move a manufacturing plant(which would actually be a huge benefit for them)…??? What’s up with that???!!!! Don’t get me wrong, ALL the firearms companies in NY, CT, NJ and such need to make the same decision. Take a stand for the 2A. Not just with donations. ACTIONS speak louder than words!!!