The Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band recently performed a first-ever benefit concert to support the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN. Played at the beautiful Fargo Air Museum, it was the last concert performed by the RRVVCB before the pandemic struck our nation; timing is everything.
This benefit event by the RRVVCB was special inasmuch as the band is usually seeking financial support to continue its mission of promoting patriotism through music. However, the band felt a strong need to do something special to give back to the community in thanks for all the community has given to the band, and what better way to do so than honor our beloved veterans?
The benefit was a success beyond any of our expectations, raising over $18,000, all of which will help support future Honor Flights when our nation returns to some semblance of normal.
There were numerous people and entities whose contributions and cooperation made this first-ever event so successful, and we’re indebted to them beyond words for their help and generosity. These include the Fargo Air Museum for their beautiful facility; Classic Cakes & Catering; Jumbos Sloppy Joe Sauce; Old Dutch; Jeff DeVillers for food donations; Cashwise Liquors; Walmart; McLaughlin Auctioneers; Premium Waters; Cass County Deputy Sheriff’s Association; D-S Beverages; Sign-Pro; and Toby McPherson/Tall Towers Aviation for their generous support and donations.
Additionally, several area groups participated in the benefit program to help make it most memorable, including every American Legion and VFW post of the metro-area; the United Patriotic Bodies; and AMVETS. A special thanks to John Schmidt for handling the sound system, and to Brian Shawn for emceeing the event; to KVRR, KVLY, KFGO 790 and WZFG 1100 for their media promotions
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Aside from our faith in God, our nation’s freedom should always be forefront in our hearts and minds, and as a nation, we’re always beholden to our veterans for giving us that freedom. The RRVVCB is so very proud of the support shown our veterans at this first-ever benefit concert event. We salute them, and everyone who made it a most enjoyable evening of celebration and fun!
Kleven, president of the Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band, wrote this letter with the help of the organization's board of directors.
