WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --
Military members past and present were among a crowd of
more than 10,000 die-hard KISS fans as they rocked out
during a KISS concert honoring military veterans August
22, 2016 at the Nutter Center in Fairborn, Ohio.
According to their website, KISS is regarded as one of the
most influential rock and roll bands of all-time, selling
more than 100 million albums worldwide in their 40 year
career. The group is currently on a 40-city "Freedom To
Rock" tour, honoring U.S. veterans across the nation and
providing generous donations to the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce Foundation’s
Hiring
Our
Heroes
program, which helps veterans, transitioning service
members, and military spouses find meaningful employment
opportunities. The program partnered with KISS and the
Veteran Tickets Foundation to salute military heroes
across the county.
“It means a great deal (to us) to support our troops,”
said Paul Stanley, KISS singer and guitarist.
As a part of the band’s “Freedom To Rock” tour, KISS is
hiring veterans or those currently serving in the National
Guard or Reserve to be roadies for a day at their concert
stops. The individual is selected by HOH. Master Sgt.
Erica Vanderventer, Army National Guard, was the
representative for the Dayton area. She helped with the
set up and tear down of the stage.
At the end of the concert, Col. Adam Willis, 445th Airlift
Wing commander, along with the Combined Color Guard from
the American Legion Post 598, Kettering, Ohio &
American Legion Post 165, Miamisburg, Ohio and the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3438, West Carrollton, Ohio,
and Vanderventer took the stage during a special
presentation. Colonel Willis was given the microphone
where he thanked the band for their continuous support of
the troops, the veterans and the HOH program for their
support in helping veterans in need. The band then
presented a check in the amount of $150,000 for the HOH
program.
“On behalf of Team Wright-Patterson and all the armed
forces of our Nation, I’d like to thank KISS and the
Hiring Our Heroes organization for their enduring support
of all our men and women in uniform,” Willis said. “I
leave you with one parting remembrance of tonight,
‘Freedom rocks!’”
Before the group left the stage, Stanley had a few more
words to share about supporting the military.
“Patriotism is always cool. Loving your country is always
cool. Standing up for your military is always cool,”
Stanley said.
Closing out the evening after the presentation, the band
played a rock ‘n’ roll rendition of the “Star-Spangled
Banner” and the hit, “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
Information about the HOH program can be found at
https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/hiring-our-heroes.
Col. Adam Willis, 445th Airlift Wing commander, along
with the Combined Color Guard from the American Legion
Post 598, Kettering, Ohio & American Legion Post
165, Miamisburg, Ohio and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
3438, West Carrollton, Ohio, pose with the rock band,
KISS, during the band's performance Aug.22, 2016. KISS
is currently on a 40-city "Freedom To Rock" tour to
honor U.S. veterans across the nation and provides
donations to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s
Hiring Our Heroes program. (Courtesy photo)