ABOVE AND BEYOND
Each year, the Freedom Fest Committee, selects people who have helped in some
way with Freedom Fest. Sometimes it is an individual, sometimes a group. These
people have done something to help with the event that has been above and beyond
the call of duty. Without their help, Freedom Fest wouldn't be what it is. We
thought this would be a great way to honor all those people who have been
mentioned though the years.
1997
Sammy L. Davis
Sammy is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military honor for bravery in combat.
Sammy has attended as many Freedom Fest's as his family's health would allow. Sammy's leadership and
dedication to America and to her veterans is unequaled. Sam exemplifies everything good about America and is an
example of the highest caliber. Sam says, "It's not enough to just be willing to die for your country, you have to be
willing to live for your country as well." During the past several years Sam has been joined at Freedom Fest by
many of the men who were with him the night of his MOH action, including two of those whose lives he helped save.
During Freedom Fest 1996 he took the time to meet with over 2,000 school children as they viewed The Wall.
Thank you Sammy for your immense contribution to Freedom Fest and to America.
1997
Britt Small & Festival
Britt Small & Festival were the driving force behind Freedom Fest in the beginning. Their work on behalf of
America's veterans is unequaled for a musical organization. Britt Small served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in
Vietnam in 1970. In 1982, Britt Small & Festival calmed the anger in a crowd of 150,000 people during the
dedication of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial by walking into the heart of the crowd singing. Britt's courage in the
fight to account for the POW/MIAs from all wars has been an inspiration to thousands of people. Britt Small &
Festival have carried the message of patriotism to the corners of our country. Their contributions to Freedom
Fest and America cannot be measured. Thank You!
1997
John Musgrave
John served with Delta Co, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam from 1966 - 69, where
he was severely wounded. John has since become on of this Nations most eloquent speakers on behalf of duty,
honor, country and the abandoned POWs form all wars. John has participated in nearly all of the Freedom Fests
and unselfishly gives of his emotion and intellect through his passionate pleas for justice. Freedom Fest would like
to speak for thousands of Americans and say "We love you John, and Thank You!"
1997
John Steer
John served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam in 1966 - 68. He is a survivor of the battle of Hill 875 at
Dak To, one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, in which he was severely wounded. John has since
become a minister and in 1987 founded Ft. Steer, a veterans retreat near Charlotte, Arkansas, where he has
helped hundreds of veterans find healing. John has attended most of the Freedom Fests, as well as appearing with
Festival across the country. John's faith and dedication to all veterans is a leading inspiration for thousands of
Americans. We love you John and Thank You!
1997
Jim Hartman
Jim served with the US Army during the Korean War from 1952 -54 with the 115th Engineers. Jim lived in Skidmore
for many years where he was an active member of American Legion Post #411. Jim also served as Postmaster of
Skidmore for many years and his contribution to our community has been substantial. Jim has recently moved to
Maryville. While living in Skidmore, he was the keeper of the community flags for many years. He took great pride in
the proper display and care of them. In 1996 when Skidmore gained a new flag pole, Jim personally erected the old
pole to hold the POW flag in the uptown park. Jim has been a patriotic cornerstone of our community for many years
and we thank him for his service to his community and to his country.
1997
Mike and Diane Hofmeister
Mike and Diane have been stalwart supporters of Freedom Fest since the very beginning. They have always been
there with help and support in any capacity that was needed. Diane prepared and organized the fantastic meals for
the many volunteers and entertainers in the early years. Their unselfish contributions to Freedom Fest have long
been appreciated. In case we haven't said it enough, "Thank You!"
1998
Danny “Greasy” Belcher
Danny “Greasy” Belcher, Owensville, Kentucky, has been an enthusiastic supporter of Freedom Fest for many years.
Greasy served with D-Troop, 7th Sqdn, 1st Air Cav in Vietnam from 1967 - 1969. Today he is the head of Task
Force Omega of Kentucky and one of the principal spearheads of the POW/MIA issue in America today. Greasy is
also one of the original founders of Rolling Thunder, a POW/MIA motorcycle rally which draws thousands of riders to
Washington, DC each year. Besides all the work he does for the POW/MIA issue, Greasy makes the trip to Skidmore
every year to speak at Freedom Fest, speak to school kids and help out in any way that he can. He truly gives
“above and beyond the call of duty” and we love him. - Thank You Greasy!
1998
Leanna Mitchell-Jones
Anytime we need a raffle item to raise money for Freedom Fest, we can always count on Leanna to come up with a
neat quilt. She has donated her talents to Freedom Fest on numerous occasions. She worked in St. Louis and lives
in Tina, Missouri, but always has a helping hand for Freedom Fest. Leanna has been a participant since the
beginning. Thanks mom!
2001
Festival
For 28 years, May 1973-May 2001, Britt Small & Festival traveled the United States and Canada, logging over 1.5
million miles and performing in nearly every state. In 1982, they found themselves singing at the apex of The Wall
during the dedication of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Since that time they dedicated
themselves to becoming a true voice for America’s veterans, performing at thousands of veteran events, in
hundreds of VA hospitals and even 7 times in prisons. The group also performed at the dedications of the Women’s
Memorial and the Korean Veteran’s Memorial, as well as most of the national memorials in DC, including over 35
times in front of the Lincoln Memorial on behalf of America’s POW/MIAs. In 1992,they became the only professional
music group to perform on top of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Recipients of two National Vietnam Veterans
Medals, their accomplishments go on and on.
The group was also very instrumental in Freedom Fest since its beginning. Not only did they perform every year,
but they were also responsible for much of the leg-work, the sound system and many of the details that make this
event unique. Britt served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam in 1970 and serves today as Commander of
Skidmore American Legion Post 411. He continues to fight the fight on the road today. All of the other members
were non-veterans, which makes their accomplishments even more unique. These individuals dedicated many
years of their careers to helping veterans and making them feel good about themselves. All of the members of the
group unceasingly held the American spirit against a stiff wind and truly touched the lives of thousands of American
veterans and their families.
Freedom Fest, on behalf of those countless others, would like to thank Britt and all of the members of Festival for
their years of dedication to America’s veterans. We would also like to thank the members of the group who continue
to show up, lend their support and continue to live the American spirit. If you didn’t hear it enough at the time, we
appreciate all you have done for our veterans.
2004
Bonnie Dipolito
Bonnie has been driving her RV to Freedom Fest from the Tampa, Florida area for years. Bonnie and her
husband, Frank, would make the trip to come and help in any way they could. Frank was a Marine who served in
Korea and Vietnam. Of course, they both loved all veterans, but especially marines. Bonnie made the trip by
herself last year after Frank passed away in April. As usual, she jumped in with both feet to help make sure
everyone got fed. She not only helped do the shopping but she made sure the supplies and utensils were where
they needed to be. She did the cooking if she needed to. Bonnie doesn’t know a stranger. If you are a patriot
you are part of her extended family. Bonnie has helped with Freedom Fest for so many years, we wanted to take
this opportunity to tell her thank you. We hope you will continue to attend Freedom Fest for many years to come.
2004
Steve Cross
Steve is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Army. He has been coming to Freedom Fest since 1996. Steve
lives in Atlantic, Iowa. He comes to Skidmore before the event starts and helps with all the things that have to be
done before people start to arrive. He is one of these people who doesn’t mind what job you give him. It doesn’t
matter if it is a small, time consuming detail or one of the biggest things to be done. When a job needs to be
done, it is like Steve reads your mind and starts to work on it before you can say it out loud. The Freedom Fest
committee appreciates Steve’s help each year. We look forward to seeing him and working with him for many
more Freedom Fests. Thanks Steve!
