Retired general to be featured at Lipscomb University event

The Messenger 03.17.10
Retired Gen. Tommy Franks will be the keynote speaker for Lipscomb University’s Operation Yellow Ribbon event Tuesday on the campus in Nashville.
Larry Gatlin will emcee the event that features acoustic performances by Charlie Daniels, Amy Grant, Kix Brooks and Gretchen Wilson, among others.
Retired Maj. Gen. Bob Dees has been confirmed as keynote speaker for the event symposium.
The Operation Yellow Ribbon event is billed as “An Inspiring Evening of Stories and Songs” to raise awareness and funds for Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.
“I am both honored and humbled for the opportunity to work on behalf of the men and women that we hold in such high regard, that fight the great fight. Our hope is that within the event we, in some small way, can give back to those who sacrifice so much for the sake of our freedom. It will be a wonderful evening,” said David Corlew, the show’s producer for David Corlew and Associates.
A limited number of tickets for the evening event are on sale for $10 each at the Lipscomb University box office and through Ticketmaster.
Members of the military and their families will be invited as guests of the event’s corporate sponsors. Proceeds from the event benefit Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program and organizations that serve veterans and their families.
Event sponsors and special friends include Abilene Center Conflict Resolution, ADS, Association of Army Dentists, Clear Channel, Cracker Barrel, Dollar General, Drescher and Sharp, Ezell Foundation, Military Systems, Morgan Dempsey, Pinnacle Bank, Steve Smith, Southern Events, Spirit Broadband, SunTrust Bank, Trauger & Tuke, Tennessee Commerce Bank and YMCA of Middle Tennessee.
Prior to the evening event, a daylong symposium will focus on discussions about solutions for the transition from battlefield to home front for returning military. Dees will be featured at the event’s plenary session. Breakout sessions will address a variety of topics including returning injured military and adapting to life after those injuries.
Representatives from over 25 organizations that serve veterans will participate, in addition to veterans and families of veterans.
The symposium is sponsored by Lipscomb and Challenge America. Admission to the symposium is invitation only.
“This is a unique gathering of leaders of organizations that serve veterans to come together and engage in dialogue. We hope that at the end of the day we develop solutions for ways to serve our veterans better,” said David Hughes, Lipscomb University’s veterans liaison and Yellow Ribbon Program director.
The mission of Challenge America is to work with communities across the United States in linking new and existing services and supporting the development of recreational and occupational programs to better serve returning injured military and their families.
Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program offers eligible military veterans and their family members an undergraduate degree tuition-free or a graduate degree at a greatly-reduced tuition rate.

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