Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/145706
Rockin' for a Cause: Madison Rising Headlines Parking Lot Party in Support of SOF K9 Memorial Foundation by JANICE BURTON Somewhere in Afghanistan, two soldiers are on patrol. The first is an elite warrior, he uses state-of-the-art weaponry and technology as he moves throughout the remote countryside. His partner, while no less elite, uses his basic senses to seek out the enemy or to find bombs before they can harm his team. He is a military working dog. On Saturday, June 27, Cumberland County residents will come together to memorialize 56 of these unsung heroes at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. At 10 a.m., the museum will unveil it's latest memorial to pay homage to the military working dogs that have given their lives in support of this great nation. The SOF K9 Memorial Foundation is comprised of a small group of military and civilian K9 professionals who would like to create a lasting memorial dedicated to special-operations forces K9s killed in action. There is a unique bond between a military working dog and its handler. According to the SOF K9 memorial website, that relationship can best be seen through the bond between the two. "The bond between a SOF handler and his K9 can be seen in every aspect of their relationship, from the FOB to engaging the enemy. Countless hours of training go into each of our elite K9s to give them the tools they need to survive on the battlefields. "Their actions in combat are simply heroic, facing eminent danger with courage that sets the standard for all others. They give selflessly so others may live, for many we owe them our lives. Many SOF K9s have paid the ultimate price in support of this great nation." Josh Collins, the owner of Huske Hardware House and the newly opened Tap Fair will be joined by Autumn Nichols, the winner of the last Huske Unplugged House, has seen this relationship in action and has thrown his support behind the competition, who recently performed at the Country Music Association Festival organization. Collins will not only host a reception following the dedication of the in Nashville, Tenn. Also slated to perform is Mitch Clark, a singer/songwriter and memorial for foundation members, he will also host Fayetteville's largest Parking Summer Collins, who will be featured in X-Factor 3 this fall. Lot Party later that afternoon to raise funds to continue the work of the foundation Madison Rising is a rock band with a conscience. The band's music ranges from in providing pavers for fallen dogs and care for dogs who have been wounded or the guitar-heavy opening track of "Right To Bear," to the hauntingly epic sounds of who have retired. "Honk If You Want Peace," to the beautiful violins of "Hallowed Ground." Having been a member of the special-operations community while serving on Collins said choosing the band was easy because of active duty in the U.S. Army, Collins sees the work of the its commitment to promoting the principles of liberty, foundation as important. independence, smaller government and personal "These are my band of brothers. The soldiers who responsibility. work with these dogs are the men I served with while I Collins added that food and libations will be sold was in the Army," he explained. "Each of these dogs has throughout the concert; however, no outside coolers saved hundreds of lives. If they were human, they would or food will be allowed on the grounds. Tickets for probably have been awarded a Medal of Honor. They have the event are just $10 and can be purchased at www. given their lives for their brothers." huskehardware.com or on the Huske Hardware Facebook Collins put feet to his beliefs when he organized the page. Tickets can also be purchased at Huske or at the Parking Lot Party, which will be held in the parking lot newly opened TapHouse at Huske, which features more behind Huske Hardware House and the TapHouse at than 80 beers on tap. Huske. The concert, which will feature four performers Collins strongly urges patrons to purchase their tickets from the Huske Singer/Songwriter Competition, as well early to avoid standing in line the day of the concert. If you as headliners Madison Rising, will begin at 5 p.m. have not purchased your ticket before Saturday, he suggests "This is going to be the Parking Lot Party of the you arrive around 3 p.m. decade," said Collins. "We are going to have music in all "Fayetteville is a very last minute town, and I would like genres from rock to pop to Americana. This is going to be An example of the statue that will be placed at the nothing better than to see lines wrapped all the way around the event of the summer." Airborne & Special Operations Museum on July 27. the block," said Collins. Opening the show will be the performers from the For more information about the SOF Huske Singer Songwriter competition: Nathan Fair, K9 Memorial Foundation, visit http:// whose hit song "Fallen Soldier" is raising funds for the wounded warrior sofk9memorial.com. For more foundation, will be on hand. The following week, Fair will be in South Dakota, JANICE BURTON, Associate information about the concert visit www. opening a show for Lynnyrd Skynnyrd at the annual Sturgis Bike Rally. Publisher. COMMENTS? Edihuskehardwarehouse.com. tor@upandcomingweekly.com. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JULY 24-30, 2013 UCW 13