Letters

The Warriors Rock Veteran Tribute Concert held at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center this past weekend was a major success, reaching and frequently surpassing expectations. More specifically, attendance levels surpassed expectations, as close to 300 fans of terrific multi-generational music, all documented vaccinated and wearing masks throughout the performance, watched brief pre-recorded interviews with a handful of veterans who had proudly served our country from World War II through Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Afghanistan, followed by the song of their choice performed flawlessly by the Warriors Rock band.

Thank you, Kim and Gary Racan, for coming up with the idea to create the Warriors Rock experience and for traveling the country year after year to raise the morale of our veterans, while simultaneously providing much-needed funds for local veteran organizations. Such support is always needed and appreciated, but rarely more than during our COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks also to the generous sponsors and donors who stepped up to turn this dream into reality. Without your generosity, the wonderful smiles of appreciation seen throughout the performance on the faces of veterans, family members and friends would not have been possible — smiles, and frequently tears, of remembrance that will now become wonderful memories for all of us.

And, last but not least, thank you to both Gianna Volpe and Ed German, morning and evening hosts, respectively, on WLIW-FM 88.3, who generously volunteered to serve as co-hosts of the concert.

Perhaps the most rewarding cry I heard as I prepared to leave the theater was: “Please bring them back every year. They make us so proud to be an American.”

George Motz

Quogue