Salute to Heroes to Aid Wounded Warriors

February 1st, 2020

One of the Bay Area’s most popular events – Salute to Heroes V – is coming up Friday, April 3, from 7 to 11 p.m., in South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom in League City.

The patriot dinner-dance honoring both our warriors and our veterans will feature an open bar, a four-course dinner served at 7:30 p.m., and then a concert by Gary Puckett and the pop rock band, the Union Gap, one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties, followed by dancing. Gary’s powerful and unmistakable signature voice earned him six consecutive Gold Records and Top 10 Billboard hits!

Proceeds from the event, which is held every other year, will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that changes the lives of injured warriors, caregivers and family members as it brings independence to the nation’s most severely wounded veterans.

South Shore Harbour Resort staffers, who are coordinating the event, said UTMB Health is the presenting sponsor, adding that many local businesses have already signed up as sponsors and there are still opportunities available.

The original “Salute to Heroes” was started to honor the memory of SPC Ray Joseph Hutchinson and to raise awareness of the sacrifices made by all who wear a uniform and serve our great country. The Ray Joseph Hutchinson Foundation has raised more than $400,000 in scholarships for Clear Creek Independent School District students and honored many service men and women within our community in its 10 years of operation.

The proud parents of Ray Joseph say they are pleased to see the community continue the “Salute to Heroes” tradition of honoring our local heroes and veterans and raising funds to benefit local organizations that serve our community.

Past recipients include:

2014: Operation Finally Home, 2015: BAHEP Cares and Sentinels of Freedom,  2016: Bay Area Alliance and Military Veteran Peer Network, 2018: League City First Responders

For sponsorship and ticket information, contact Bridget Bear at 281-334-1000, ext. 2028

Bellamy Brothers add pizazz to Salute to Heroes evening

June 1st, 2018

By Rick Clapp

Houston Methodist St. John Hospital’s annual Salute to Heroes Patriot Dinner and Concert was quite touching.  The evening’s theme was casual but smart western chic.  It was all red, white and blue as guests celebrated our country and League City’s First Responders while benefitting Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

South Shore Harbour Resort General Manager Roy Green hosted an evening of live music and revelry with great food and drinks, bringing big smiles to the faces of State Sen. Larry Taylor and his wife, Kerri, Jim and Jane Sweeny, Bob Mitchell and Joan McKinney, Galen and Carla Medlenka and Henry and Andrea Wilson.

The totally awesome dinner included a delicious tenderloin with Jack Daniel sauce with large delightful stuffed gulf shrimp.  The special dessert was to die for — a large serving of dulce la leche cheesecake with a mango tequila couli. C’est tres bon!

Carla and Galen Medlenka with Rick Clapp.

Just ask Ange Mertens, Brenda Keithley, Larry Moser, Debbie Salisbury, Robyn Weigelt or Bo Brinkman, who were among the many who would agree.

Highlight of the evening was a private concert by the famous Bellamy Brothers, followed by disco music and dancing. What a blast! I was digging it.  The live auction was conducted by Senator Taylor and featured a four-day home stay on the Guadalupe River and a sail on the Star Cruiser for 40 guests.

T.J. Aulds, who came with his wife, Beth Lewis, was the evening’s emcee with the invocation by Living Words Church Pastor Brad Heintz. Major sponsors included City of Nassau Bay, Moody National Bank, Norman Frede Chevrolet, South Shore Harbor Resort, Bay Area Houston Magazine, Amoco, City of Webster and Faust Distributing.

The original Salute to Heroes was started to honor local fallen hero SPC Ray Joseph Hutchinson by his parents. The fund raised close to a half million dollars over its 10-year duration. Thanks to the Hutchinsons, their son’s memory will remain in our hearts forever.  God Bless America — in God We Trust.

Moe Bandy and Janie Fricke to entertain at Salute to Heroes II Event

March 1st, 2015

moeThe second Salute to Heroes fund raiser will be held Saturday evening, April 11, at the South Shore Harbor Resort in League City.  This year promises to be even more successful than last year’s event that raised $75,000 in conjunction with Operation Finally Home. The money provided Cpl. Jonathan Dowdell and his family with a new home.

This year features performances by country legends Moe Bandy and Janie Fricke. Moe Bandy has had 10 No. 1 hits, 40 Top Ten Hits and 5 Gold Albums. Janie Fricke has won Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year, is in the Country Music Hall of Fame, released 23 albums and has recorded over 36 hit singles.

South Shore Harbor Chef Roland Kyburz is planning a delicious four course dinner. There will be an open bar and wonderful live auction items with State Sen. Larry Taylor as auctioneer.  Dress is Texas Chic, so boots, jeans and rodeo type attire is encouraged.

This year’s beneficiaries are two organizations that provide much needed services to injured soldiers and veterans in our area.  Sentinels of Freedom Gulf Coast, is a scholarship foundation for severely injured soldiers returning home from combat. “We are so excited about being included this year with the Salute to Heroes II evening.  The funds raised will be used to truly impact the lives of some of the most severely injured soldiers that return to our area,” said Gail Payne, Executive Director for Sentinels of Freedom Gulf Coast.

Photo 1The other organization is BAHEP Cares.  Under the umbrella of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, this is a mentoring program for transitioning veterans and their spouses toward rewarding careers and advancement services.  According to John Martinec, board chair of the BAHEP Cares organization and President/CEO of AeroSys, LLC, “This program has already served over 80 veterans and partnered soldiers with 20 plus local executives and companies in the area.”

Roy Green, general manager of the South Shore Harbor Resort says, “The goal this year is to raise another $75,000 for these programs. We all know the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make for our country, and this is a way to give back and support those with the greatest need. I am so proud of our Clear Lake/Bay Area business community for stepping up and responding to the call. We are more than half way to our goal of attendees but still have tables, tickets and sponsorship opportunities available.”

Even if you are unable to attend, you can be listed in the Salute to Heroes II program for a donation of $100 or more.  Checks can be made to the Sentinels of Freedom, a 501C3 charity. Mail donations to the South Shore Harbor Resort, 2500 South Shore Blvd, League City, Texas 77573.  For more information and to get involved, call 281-334-1000 ext. 2025.

Bay Area Houston Magazine