AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION HITS $1 MILLION MARK IN GIVING AT AMERICAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL WASHINGTON

8th ANNUAL AMERICAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL WASHINGTON HITS
$1 MILLION MARK IN GIVING

DAUGHTRY Spellbinds Audience

1st Annual Veterans Career Hiring Event Posts High Numbers

Nashville, TN. – (December 7, 2011) The American Freedom Foundation recently announced that they have reached the $1 million mark in giving since the charity’s inception in 2004. The milestone was hit during the 8th annual American Freedom Festival Washington presented by SKYDEX and CareerBuilder which was just held at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.

This annual tribute to our military featured many extraordinary moments beginning with AFF Co-Founder SMA (R) Jack Tilley riding on stage on an FGM, Inc. donated Big Bear 2005 Venon ProStreet Chopper. The concert featured performances by country singer Red Marlow and Do Not Assume featuring Christal Rheams. Multi-platinum recording artists, Daughtry, whose third album, Break the Spell, recently debuted at Number 8 on the Billboard 200 charts, headlined the event.

At the end of their performance, SMA Tilley and Karri Turner of the CBS hit series, JAG, joined Daughtry onstage, where they made the announcement of the fundraising milestone amid a blizzard of multi-colored confetti and a loud, cheering crowd. As an encore, Daughtry performed their hit song “Home.” The cheers and applause from the crowd confirmed that the lyrics made it a fitting and appropriate song to finish the night’s events and honor our veterans.

Additional Highlights:

1. Guest speaker, wounded warrior US Navy Lt. Jason Redman. The former Seal gave a speech
   about his service to our country paying tribute to all who came before him and the sacrifices made for our freedom. He moved every single person in the arena as witnessed by an extended standing ovation.
2. AFF contributions were made to Easter Seals Greater Washington Baltimore Region, USO of Metropolitan Washington, Soldier On and Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors and several others that totaled in excess of $200,000!
3. The AFF Heroes Supporting Heroes Award was presented to presenting sponsor, SKYDEX’s CEO, Mr. Mike Buchen, for his unselfish and committed service to our veterans, active duty military and military families.
4. AFF in conjunction with CareerBuilder and the MarCom Group staged the 1st Annual Veterans Career Hiring Event which featured some of the top companies in America. Over

100 veterans were interviewed throughout the day leading to many hires. Companies who participated included Microsoft, Accenture, Nationwide Insurance, NJVC, Security Finance, Washington Gas, TRAX International and Dow Chemical.

The American Freedom Foundation would like to thank the 70 sponsors who made this event possible and the thousands in attendance who never stopped showing their appreciation for our veterans and service members.

Media Contact:

Kim Dettwiller

American Freedom Foundation, Inc.

teamstrategies@gmail.com

(615) 330-5656

8th Annual American Freedom Festival Washington A Rousing Success!

What an amazing night!  The 8^th annual American Freedom Festival Washington presented by SKYDEX and CareerBuilder played to a packed house at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA  on Saturday, November 12.  In tribute to our military, the 3 hour extravaganza featured many extraordinary moments beginning with our co-host, SMA Tilley, riding on stage on a 2005 Venom Prostreet Chopper!  Donated by FGM, Inc., SMA Tilley, dressed in his finest motorcycle gear, wowed the crowd with his impersonation of “The Fonz”.  After introducing Senior Vice President of FGM, Mr. Guy D’Amour and thanking him for FGM’s outstanding contribution, SMA Tilley got things started with a tribute to our veterans.  Earlier in the day, the American Freedom Foundation, in conjunction with the wonderful partnership with CareerBuilder, held a Veterans Hiring Event featuring some of the top companies in America.  The theme of this year’s American Freedom Festival was “Hire A Veteran”.  After commenting on the success of the Veterans Hiring Event, SMA introduced a video on the value of hiring veterans featuring the five members of Pinnacle Five.  They took the stage to a thunderous applause acknowledging their service to our country.  CareerBuilder then presented SMA Tilley with a check for $150,000 representing the charitable donations from the Veterans Hiring Event participants.

Co-Host, actress and AFF board member, Karri Turner, joined SMA on stage to introduce the first musical act of the evening, Mr. Red Marlow.  This great country singer gave a stellar performance showcasing an incredible vocal style.

Speaking of extraordinary moments, our next guest was speaker, Jason Redman.  This former U.S. Navy Lieutenant and Seal gave a speech about his service to our country . . . paying tribute to all who came before him and the sacrifices made for our freedom.  He moved every single person in the arena as witnessed by an extended standing ovation.  It was simply incredible!

WUSA Channel 9’s Lesli Foster brought out our next musical act, Christal Rheams and Do Not Assume.  They rocked the house getting the crowd ready for Daughtry.

Another extraordinary moment followed as SMA Tilley and Karri brought to the stage, presenting sponsor, SKYDEX’s president and CEO, Mike Buchen.  Thinking he was there to make the first charitable contribution of the evening, Mike was visibly moved when he was presented a beautiful sculptured plaque representing his service and support to our military called the Heroes Supporting Heroes Award.  He was speechless!

Next SMA Tilley invited John Downing from Solder On and Ken Falke from Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors to the stage and presented them on behalf of our artists, all in attendance and our sponsors, $25,000 each.  They were visibly moved by this presentation.

WASH’s Loo Katz then took the stage to introduce our featured act of the evening, Daughtry.  Enough can’t be said for the talent of this group and the great energy they brought to the show.   The band wowed the crowd; performing all their hits and then some.  The audience stood and cheered through the entire performance.  It was magical.

The evening ended on a very high note as SMA Tilley joined Daughtry on stage to announce that the American Freedom Foundation reached the $1,000,000 mark in giving in just seven (7) short years.  Canons shot confetti throughout the entire arena as the crowd joined in celebration of this milestone for the Foundation.

Thanks go out to our 70 sponsors who made this event possible and the thousand in attendance who never stopped showing their appreciation for our veterans and service members.  Throughout the evening it became so apparent that we must never forget the service and sacrifice our military has undertaken and continues to undertake to insure that we live a life of freedom.

The ASBC 2011 Holiday Charity Bash™ Benefits American Freedom Foundation

The American Small Business Coalition invites you to the 3rd annual 2011 Holiday Charity Bash™ where government and industry will raise awareness and money to benefit the American Freedom Foundation. Event takes place on November 30th at Iris Lounge 1524 L-M Spring Hill Road (formerly eCITIE Restaurant and Bar) in McLean, VA. Come out and support our veterans and military families. Learn more at http://bit.ly/nUTCGh

American Freedom Foundation featured in Saluting The Spirit of American Unity 9/11 Commemorative Keepsake

The American Freedom Foundation was featured in the just release issue “Saluting The Spirit of American Unity: 9/11 Commemorative Keepsake”.  To read about the foundation, please visit http://digital.publicationprinters.com/publication?i=81366.

VETERANS HIRING EVENT HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH AMERICAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL WASHINGTON

VETERANS HIRING EVENT HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH AMERICAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL WASHINGTON

1st Annual Veterans Hiring Event to be Held Before Concert from 9am – 3pm

Security Financial, TRAX International, NJVC, Nothrop Grumman, Accenture and Microsoft commit to participation

Fairfax, VA – (October 11, 2011) The first annual Veterans Hiring Event will be held in conjunction with the American Freedom Festival Washington presented by SKYDEX and CareerBuilder from 9am – 3pm Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax.  This first time event will bring together major companies from throughout the Washington National Capitol Region to profile their services and provide employment opportunities for our veterans.  Attending veterans will have the chance to talk with employers, submit qualifications, and even participate in job interviews on the spot.  Attendance at the Veterans Hiring Event is free and open to veterans and active duty military.

Security Financial, TRAX International, NJVC, Northrop Grumman, Accenture and Microsoft are answering the call of supporting our veterans by being the first to sign up to participate in the Veterans Hiring Event.  In addition, the Veterans Administration (VA), U.S. Office of Personnel Management Veterans Services, Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Management System, Department of Labor and Department of Energy have all stepped up to participate and make veterans aware of services available to them.

At 7:30pm , the American Freedom Festival Washington will kick off with a major concert featuring tributes to our military, presentations and a performance by multi-platinum rock band, Daughtry.  This concert honors our veterans and the men and women of America’s armed forces while benefiting various organizations that serve and support veterans, active duty military, wounded warriors and their families throughout the country.

For information about the Veterans Hiring Event, including sponsorships and other participation opportunities, please call Jim Hatch of MarCom Group at (703) 218-1600.

For more information, please visit www.americanfreedomfoundation.org or www.patriotcenter.com.

Concert Ticket Information: Tickets for the American Freedom Festival at the Patriot Center on Saturday, November 12 at 7:30pm are $39.50, $69.50, $89.50 and $139.50 (plus applicable service charges) and are on sale now.  Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT (7328), 202-397-SEAT (7328), 410-547-SEAT (7328) or 800-551-SEAT (7328). Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035.

Military Tickets:  Military tickets will be available at a discount through the Patriot Center box office and ITT/ITR/Ticket offices at the following locations:

Annapolis                                                                      Anacostia Annex

ITT Office (Attn: Erin Baki)                                              Nathaniel Roach, ITT Manager

89 Bennion Road                                                                Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

NDW East Annapolis Naval Station                                12 Brookley Avenue

Annapolis, MD  21401-1119                                                Washington, D.C.  20032

TEL: 410-293-9210                                                              nathaniel.roach@navy.mil

TEL:202-433-2269                                                     

 Fort Belvoir                                                        OSD/JS Welfare & Recreation             

Mr. Ryan Moran, Com Ctr Mgr                               Ms. Lee Wheeler, Office Manager

Building No. 1200, Taylor Road                               OSD/JS Welfare & Recreation

(Community Club)                                                     1155 Defense, The Pentagon, Room 1B843

Fort Belvoir, VA  22060                                             Washington, DC  20301-1155

yesica.i.alvarez.naf@mail.mil                                     TEL: 703-695-5338
TEL: 703-805-4382 or 3714

Air Force Recreation Services

Ms. Debbie Snyder

1295 Air Force Pentagon, Room 5E932

Washington, DC 20330-1205

debbie.snyder@pentagonaf.mil 

TEL: (703)697-4410

About Daughtry

Multi-platinum rock band Daughtry has scored 4 No.1 hits, garnered 4 Grammy nominations, sold over 7 million albums and played sold out concerts around the world in less than 4 years. Daughtry’s self-titled debut was the fastest selling rock debut in Soundscan history and its follow up Leave This Town is the quintet’s second consecutive No. 1 album. The band is currently in the studio recording their new record due later this year. In addition to recording and touring, Daughtry is also dedicated to using its position to raise awareness about a number of charitable causes. For more information about the band, visit Daughtry’s Web site, www.daughtryofficial.com.

About The American Freedom Foundation, Inc.

The American Freedom Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 public benefit corporation organized to honor the men and women of America’s armed forces and raise awareness for their service and sacrifices and raise money for various organizations that serve and support our veterans, active duty military, wounded warriors and their families.  Special emphasis is directed to welfare and educational issues facing those wounded in action, those disabled and families and children of veterans killed in action in conflicts throughout the world.  Throughout its short history, the American Freedom Foundation has made grants in excess of $750,000 to more than 30 military organizations.  The American Freedom Festivals are a series of concert events that take place across the country featuring music performers, actors, athletes, dignitaries and other supporters, joining together to help support and fulfill the mission of the American Freedom Foundation, Inc.

About CareerBuilder.com, LLC.

CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset – their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 22 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 40 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world’s top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and data analysis to recruitment support. More than 9,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder’s proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com

Follow Daughtry on:  Web | Facebook | Twitter

Follow American Freedom Foundation on:  Web | Facebook | Twitter

Follow Patriot Center on:  Web | Facebook | Twitter

_ _ _ _

Media Contacts:

Jim Hatch

The MarCom Group/Veterans Hiring Event

jhatch@marcomgroup.com

(703) 218-1600

Kim Dettwiller

American Freedom Foundation, Inc.

teamstrategies@gmail.com

(615) 330-5656

Sheila Francis

Patriot Center

sfrancis@monumentalsports.com

(202) 628-3200 x6042

Tom Muzquiz  (Daughtry)

RCA Music Group

(310) 272-2638

tom.muzquiz@sonymusic.com

DAUGHTRY TO PERFORM LIVE AT AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION BENEFIT CONCERT PRESENTED BY SKYDEX AND CAREERBUILDER ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011 AT PATRIOT CENTER IN FAIRFAX, VA

The American Freedom Foundation announces its 8th annual American Freedom Festival Washington presented by SKYDEX and CareerBuilder. The event will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the Patriot Center at George Mason University and will feature multiple platinum rock band, Daughtry. This annual concert honors our veterans and men and women of America’s armed forces while benefiting various organizations that serve and support veterans, active duty military, wounded warriors and their families throughout the country.

In addition, the American Freedom Foundation announces its partnership with CareerBuilder to create the 1st annual Veterans Job Fair to be held earlier in the day at the Patriot Center from 9am – 3pm. This exciting new addition to the American Freedom Festival Washington will bring together major companies from throughout the Washington Capitol Region to profile their services and provide employment opportunities for our veterans. Attending veterans will have the chance to talk with employers, submit qualifications, and even participate in job interviews on the spot. Attendance at the job fair is free and open to veterans and active duty military.

Ticket Information: Tickets for the American Freedom Festival at the Patriot Center on Saturday, November 12 at 7:30pm are $39.50, $69.50, $89.50 and $139.50 (plus applicable service charges) and go on sale Saturday, September 10 at 10:00 am. Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT (7328), 202-397-SEAT (7328), 410-547-SEAT (7328) or 800-551-SEAT (7328). Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035.

For more information, please visit www.americanfreedomfoundation.org or www.patriotcenter.com.

For information about the Veterans Job Fair, including sponsorships and other participation opportunities, please call Jim Hatch of MarCom Group at (703) 218-1600.

AMERICAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL SAN DIEGO – A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

The
 2nd
 Annual
 American
 Freedom
 Festival
 San
 Diego
 held
 May
 28
 aboard
 the
 USS
 Midway
 Museum
 was
 a
 night
 worth
 remembering.
 Themed
 “Families
 of
 the
 Fallen”
and
 after
 an
 amazing
 version
 of
 the
 national
 anthem
 by
 the
 Navy
 Chorus,
 Laurel
 Tsirimokos
 wrote
 and
 narrated
 a
 wonderful
 tribute
 to
 the
 fallen
 orchestrated
 by
 the
Marine
 Headquarter
 Squadron
 3
 Honor
 Guard
 building
 the
 Battlefield
 Cross.
 It
 left
everyone
 speechless
 and
 started
 our
 evening
 off
 on
 just
 the
 right
 note.
 
 Thanks
 so
much
to
Laurel.

  Job
well
done!

SMA
 Tilley,
 our
 host
 for
 the
 evening,
 took
 the
 stage
 and
 introduced
 the
marketing
 director
 for
 the
 USS
 Midway
 Museum,
 Mr.
 Scott
 McGaugh.
 
 After
 a
short
 history
 of
 the
 museum,
 Scott
 read
 a
 welcome
 letter
 from
 Mr.
 Jerry
Sanders,
 Mayor
 of
 San
 Diego.
 The
 staff
 and
 crew
 of
 the
 USS
 Midway
 Museum
have
been
great
partners
on
this
event
that
kicks
off
their
Legacy
Week.

SMA
 Tilley
 brought
 out
 LCDR
 Dr.
 Andrew
 Baldwin,
 physician,
 humanitarian,
former
 Navy
 Seal,
 former
 star
 of
 the
 TV
 Series
 “The
 Bachelor”
 and
 founder
 of
one
 of
 the
 evening’s
 charitable
 partners,
 Got
 Your
 Back
 Network
 (GYBN).
GYBN
hosted
10
families
of
the
fallen
for
the
evening’s
festivities.

They
all
had
a
 great
 time
 as
 the
 event
 provided
 some
 welcomed
 relief
 from
 the
 issues
 they
have
to
deal
with
everyday
having
lost
a
loved
one
in
war.

For
 our
 first
 musical
 performance,
 KYXY’s
 Sam
 Bass
 brought
 out
 the
 U.
 S.
Army’s
 Rena
 Marie
 Cunningham
 from
 the
 Indiana
 National
 Guard.
 
 Rena
 gave
a
great
performance
and
is
sure
to
have
a
promising
future!

SMA
 introduced
 our
 long
 time
 partner
 and
 co‐host,
 Karri
 Turner,
 and
CEO
 of
 our
 presenting
 sponsor,
 SKYDEX,
 Mr.
 Mike
 Buchen,
 to
 present
our
 charitable
 contributions
 for
 the
 evening.
 
 Mike
 hosted
 45
 soldiers
from
 Ft.
 Irwin
 who
 were
 acknowledged.
 
 What
 a
 great
 gesture,
 Mike!
Then
 he
 shocked
 the
 whole
 crowd
 by
 presenting
 SMA
 Tilley
 with
 a
$25,000
 check!
 
 SMA
 welcomed
 the
 evening’s
 beneficiaries
 to
 the
 stage:
United
 Through
 Reading,
 Big
 Brothers
 Big
 Sisters
 of
 San
 Diego
 County,
Got
 Your
 Back
 Network,
 San
 Diego
 Armed
 Services
 YMCA
 and
 Veterans
Village
 of
 San
 Diego.
 These
 fine
 organizations
 provide
 such
 great
services
 to
 our
 veterans,
 active
 duty
 military
 and
 military
 families.
 
 It
 is
with
 great
 honor
 and
 privilege
 that
 we
 were
 able
 to
 presented
 $50,000
in
contributions!

Sam
 Bass
 took
 the
 stage
 and
 introduced
 the
 legendary
 singer/
 songwriter
Kenny
 Loggins.
 To
 say
 his
 performance
 was
 magical
 and
 electric
 would
 be
an
 understatement.
 
 He
 wowed
 the
 crowd
 and
 captured
 the
 essence
 of
 the
evening
with
a
stunning
performance.

Thanks,
Kenny!

Everyone
 seemed
 to
 have
 a
 great
 time
 and
 participated
 enthusiastically
 in
this
 great
 tribute
 to
 the
 Families
 of
 the
 Fallen!
 Thanks
 to
 all
 those
 who
attended
 and
 to
 our
 sponsors
 who
 together
 helped
 make
 this
 a
 night
 to
remember!