Inaugural Vets Aid Concert 9-20-2017

Eagle Bank Arena hosted the inaugural Vets Aid concert Wednesday night.

Vets Aid is the brain child of rock legend Joe Walsh, the goal of the event is to provide support to organizations that care for the nation’s military wounded, ill and injured. All profits, as well as merchandise sales from the night were donated to the following charities, Operation Mend, Hire Heroes USA, Warrior Canine Connection, TAPS, Semper Fi Fund, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, Stop Soldier Suicide and Swords to Plowshares.

Prior to the night’s concert, Joe Walsh gave a brief Q&A press conference on how Vets Aid came to be and the future of the event. 

What are your feelings on Vets Aid coming together?

I can’t believe it its a magic night for me. Just from thinking I ought to do this to transitioning to something real took a long time. I’m amazed at Gary, Keith, and Zac at showing up, they were pretty adamant about showing up. I’m just really grateful, and I hope this is going to work, I hope we can do it every year. I’m kind of role modeling after Willie Nelson here, Farm Aid works pretty good. So I hope this turns into something where we can really make a difference, and help the smaller organizations, those are the people I really care about, the smaller organizations in counties and towns that are helping vets those are the people who are in the trenches. They don’t have any budget and just to keep going is huge because that’s where the veterans are the most alone.

What was the thing that pushed you into doing this?

I’ve always been sensitive to vet related matters. My father died in active duty in 1949, there wasn’t a name for it, but I guess I’m a gold star kid. I’ve grown up always wondering what my dad would have been like. So I’m resonate when i meet gold star families. It’s an ongoing war with no end in sight, vets continue to come home shattered. There’s four times more injuries than there are deaths in this particular war. The transition back to civilian life for so many vets is a mountain that’s just too high to climb. Maybe we can make a difference, the least we can do is help them get back to their life.

Whats the long-term plan for vets aid, and will it always be in the D.C. area?

No, we’re going to try to do it in different parts of the country, hopefully we can do it every year. A lot of musicians who couldn’t make it this year have already committed to next year. I think it will work real well and we’ll see how this one goes. I’m so excited, there’s so many gold star families and vets that are going to be here tonight. I think getting together and realizing that you all have something in common is the first step to healing.

Do you have a message for the vets who couldn’t be here tonight?

Yeah, its easy to feel alone, unique, like an individual, and sad but to all vets I think they should know that there are people who deeply care about their situation. For example the musicians who are playing tonight there are those of us who really do care. I think with enough public awareness of the situation there will be a lot more help available. To a vet who is at the end of his hope, find an organization, ask for help, and you’ll get it.

For the event Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and multi GRAMMY Award recipient Joe Walsh was joined by Gary Clark Jr., Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band. Each of the artists performed a full set giving fans a full night of music. Setlists from the evening can be seen below. 

The evening wrapped up with Gary Clark Jr., Keith Urban, and Zac Brown joining Joe Walsh on stage for Neil Young’s “Down By The River”.