4th Annual Wounded Warriors Concert
4th Annual Wounded Warriors Concert
Concert Raising Funds for Disabled Veterans Returns to Allegany, July 15th
Pre-pandemic, people would get together and attend huge concerts and party like life couldn’t end. Then Covid hit and everything (actually everything) froze. It’s been a journey getting back to some semblance of normal. Which got me thinking… how do the many veterans who’ve served come back from what they’ve faced in their time in the armed forces? How can we help support them? Well, look no further because the Southern Tier Wounded Warrior Benefit Concert is back for 2023 and aims to be better than ever before.
ellicottvilleNOW spoke to Allegany Native, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Miller about what’s in store for visitors at this year’s event and how the concert supports fellow men and women veterans that may be in need of some help. As a veteran himself, Colonel Miller gave this a lot of thought after he was shot in a domestic terrorism incident at Fort Hood (Texas) nine years ago.
eNOW: The Wounded Warrior Benefit Concert is back. What's new for this year's event?
MILLER: After a 3-year hiatus due to Covid, the Southern Tier Wounded Warrior Benefit Concert is officially back for its 4th annual event. This year's benefit concert is similar to previous years, with live music, food, drinks, autographed merchandise from the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and Bonnies available for raffle, and special guest appearances by local WNY celebrities, professional athletes and politicians. The biggest difference this year will be the addition of local food trucks as the primary food option for participants. Just like the Benefit Concerts from 2017-2019, 100% net proceeds will be donated to support wounded and disabled Veterans through organizations like the Fisher House, Homes for our Troops and WNY Heroes.
eNOW: How much is admission? Is this a family friendly event?
MILLER: Cost is $25 for a ticket to enter. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com. Children 12 and under are free. It is ABSOLUTELY a family friendly event. We want everyone to be able to come out and celebrate the men and women who’ve served their county proudly and enjoy a great day of entertainment together.
eNOW: Speaking of entertainment, who will be performing and what types of music do they each play?
MILLER: This year's headliner is rising country music superstar Conner Smith! Conner is rapidly moving up the charts with hits like 'Take it Slow,' 'Creek Will Rise,' and 'How it Looks From Here.' Other acts include national recording artists out of Nashville like Maggie Baugh, who opened for Dylan Scott at the 2018 Benefit Concert, and Buffalo's own Eric Van Houten. Lastly, local phenom Brianna Blankenship rounds out this star-studded lineup.
eNOW: Food trucks are new for this year…. what flavors can we expect onsite?
MILLER: We’ll have Hungry Burro, which serves burritos, rice bowls, nachos and more. Larry's Food Wagon will be slinging their Philly cheese steak sandwiches, fresh cut fries, chicken tenders and Italian sausage with peppers and onions. And Mollee's Sweets will grant your dessert dreams with their cookie sundaes, cake pops, cannolis and cheesecake slices. Both canned/bottled alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available as well.
eNOW:How does the concert benefit wounded/disabled veterans?
MILLER: My entire purpose and intent of this benefit concert is to ultimately raise money and awareness for wounded and disabled veterans. This includes both local and non-local veterans throughout the U.S. The money raised will go directly to organizations including Fisher House, Homes for our Troops, and WNY Heroes, for them to work towards better mental and physical health for veterans around the country.
eNOW: Anything else you would like to add?
MILLER: We’re extremely excited to bring this back to the area. Covid kind of derailed this in 2020; but this is something I wholeheartedly believe in. After surviving the 2014 Fort Hood shooting, I don't take one second for granted and I promised myself to make the rest of my life count. Similar to returning from deployments overseas and spending two and a half years in Baghdad, Iraq. I appreciate everything and everyone… every minute of every day; and this is a way I can give back to the community that supported me and my family during those dark days after the Fort Hood shooting, while simultaneously raising money and awareness for wounded and disabled veterans.
The 4th Annual Southern Tier Wounded Warrior Benefit Concert is being held at the Allegany Fireman’s Park (Allegany, NY) on Saturday, July 15th. Gates open at 3:00pm. Get your tickets ahead at eventbrite.com, and visit their Facebook page for current and future details on the concert. This is a great event to support an amazing cause… don’t miss out!
