In my 21+ years as an Air Force photojournalist in the U.S. Military, I have never witnessed more amazing support and love towards our wounded veterans than by the people of Las Vegas!
I just finished up a great weekend trip working with the Airpower Foundation http://airpowerfoundation.comwhere from Nov 7th through Nov 11th of 2014, American Airlines Veterans Initiatives, MGM Resorts International, the USO, and the Airpower Foundation hosted 80 Wounded Veterans and their significant other to a four day Veteran’s Day weekend celebration in Las Vegas an all expenses paid trip for the 5th Annual ‘Salute to the Troops’. American Airlines donated a special charter aircraft, which was flown by an all volunteer flight crew of pilots and flight attendants to pick up the wounded warriors and their guests from Ft. Belvior and Bethesda / Walter Reed Medical centers, and flew them to Las Vegas where MGM Resorts International rolled out the red carpet for the Veteran’s arrival at the Mirage Hotel; a place they would call home for the next 4 days.
U.S. Army SFC Jim Hummer and friend Christine Sosnowski fly on a special American Airlines charter flight to Las Vegas for the Salute to the Troops weekend.
Mirage hotel employee's, guest and locals from the area line up in front of the hotel and welcome 80 Wounded Veterans and their significant other as they get off their Greyhound buses and walk the red carpet.
Wounded Veterans were treated to dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on South Las Vegas Boulevard.
Julie and Greg Hendrick head to their Greyhound bus that will take them and the other Wounded Veterans to dinner at the Bubba Gump Co., followed by a concert on Fremont Street by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.
Tourists and locals of Las Vegas sing the United States of America's National Anthem on Fremont Street before kicking off a concert headlining Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band in honor of the Wounded Veterans and their family members.
Kyle Moser and his wife Alexandra along with the other Wounded Veterans arrived to a huge warm welcoming at Fremont Street for a Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band concert honoring them. Tourist and locals expressed to them, "thank you's" for their service to our country.
The USO Show Troop waits backstage before performing at the Fremont Street Experience concert.
Country Singer Phil Vandel and his band is one of the opening performers for the Fremont Street Experience Concert.
Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band perform during the Fremont Street Experience Concert honoring our Wounded Veterans.
Gunnery sergeant Mike Sidoti waits behind stage before presenting the Gary Sinise Foundation with a 9k donation from the estate of his friend Lou Kushler.
Kyle Moser, his wife Alexandra and a fellow Veteran enjoy the Fremont Street Experience Concert honoring our Wounded Veterans.