News

Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Honor Dedication to Those Who Serve

Nashville, TENN — The annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner was held on September 11, 2024, at City  Winery Nashville, raising over $400k for the organization’s mission.  

The awards are a program of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, a 501c3 that supports military veterans,  first responders and their families. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the program, co-founded by Country  Music legend, Charlie Daniels with his longtime manager and friend, David Corlew.  

Although Daniels passed in 2020, his musical legacy lives on, and his devotion to veterans causes continues  through the dedication of Corlew. Through fundraising events, the organization supports the efforts of other not for-profit organizations providing services to U.S. veterans and first responders; selected for providing the most  meaningful work with the lowest overhead. TCHJHP has raised more than $4 million for these organizations. 

The criteria for the Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards is based on the mission of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home  Project: to support veterans in their return, rehabilitation, and reintegration back into civilian life. The awards honor 

a person or group that fulfills and exemplifies the efforts and dedication of TCDJHP’s purpose to continuously care,  support and encourage the men, women, and families who have served our great nation, including first  responders. 

This year’s program was hosted by television and radio broadcaster Storme Warren, who was also named as an  honoree this year for his tireless work in support of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project and veteran’s  causes. 

Special guest speakers included honorees Mark “OZ” Geist, (a member of the Annex Security Team that fought the  Battle of Benghazi, Libya, from September 11 to September 12, 2012; now a security and military consultant) and  Bernie Kerik, (consultant and former police officer who was the 40th Commissioner of the New York Police  Department). Kash Patel, Former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, presented the award to Kerick.  Honorees included Tom Higgins, Head of General Services at Fiserv Incorporated.  

The Giving Heart Award, which was created in 2023, was given to Shepherd’s Men, comprised of active or retired  servicemen and civilian volunteers who raise awareness and funds for the SHARE Military Initiative (SHARE) at  Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA.  

A special VALOR AWARD was presented to members of New York’s Vigiano Family, in honor of their 3 generations  of service. Patriarch John Vigiano was a decorated NY firefighter. His two sons, Joe and John Jr. represented police  and fire and both were lost in twin towers on 9/11. Now, a 3rd generation has entered the service as military and  police officers. Kathleen Vigiano, widow of Joe Vigiano, accepted the award with two of her three sons on behalf of  the family. 

Performances included Country star Trace Adkins, who shared a moving rendition of the powerful son “Arlington,”  and music artist Scott “Scooter” Brown. The latter is a USMC Combat Veteran who was friends with Chris Kyle,  the highly decorated United States Navy SEAL sniper who died in 2013. Kyle was honored through Brown’s  performance. 

A live auction was held and an online auction was also held to raise funds for the ongoing mission of The Charlie  Daniels Journey Home Project. 

Earlier in the day, The Shepherd’s Men, a team of active duty, medically retired and honorably discharged  servicemen and civilian patriots honored the memory of those who fell on September 11, 2001, along with more  than 250,000 veterans who enlisted in response by hosting and leading a 22-mile ruck, from Mt. Juliet, TN to  Nashville, TN—carrying weights that symbolized the tragic losses of that day. The participants shared the burden of  sacrifice, each representing a different aspect of that tragic day. During the Ruck March, there was a brief wreath  laying ceremony at the grave of the late Charlie Daniels—to acknowledge his enduring support for active-duty men  and women and veterans.  

The 22-mile Ruck March took place on Wednesday, September 11, 8:20 a.m., with a brief program and a moment  of silence and a prayer at 8:46 a.m., the time the North Tower was hit. The Ruck concluded at City Winery, location  of the annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards dinner.  

About The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project 

The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP) is a not-for-profit organization that assists other not-for-profits  in securing funds to help causes benefitting veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The organization was co founded in 2014 by the late country music legend Charlie Daniels and his manager, David Corlew. Board members  include Corlew, Major General Terry “Max” Haston (retired), and Hazel Daniels. Conscious of the need to assist our  nation’s veterans, TCDJHP partners with organizations deemed as doing the greatest good with the least overhead. 

Working in tandem with these organizations, TCDJHP is making a difference in the lives of American patriots.  TCDJHP’s daily operations rely solely on public donations. 

The Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center (Daniels Center) is located at Middle Tennessee  State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Daniels Center’s mission is to provide transition services for  Veterans and their families as they return to civilian life after military service.  

For more information or to donate, visit thecharliedanielsjourneyhomeproject.org