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thedrifter
07-19-09, 07:28 AM
Military pride on full display at Cantigny concert
By Jack Komperda | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 7/19/2009 12:01 AM

Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band were still hours from taking the stage at Cantigny Park.

But that didn't matter to Annette Warner and the members of the Red Hat Society.

The Addison woman and several of her group's members were at the gates of the Wheaton complex shortly before noon Saturday, an early arrival that paid off in lawn seats near the front of the main stage.

"Many of us have sons who are in the military, so we definitely come out to support our troops," Werner said. "But the show's a whole lot of fun, too."

Organizers were hoping for another sold-out performance this year for the annual benefit concert, the proceeds of which are donated to Operation Support Our Troops Illinois to pay for postage for care packages sent to military personnel stationed abroad.

Al Keener, the event coordinator for the fourth annual showcase, said parking at Cantigny filled up an hour earlier than last year, forcing late arrivals to parking sites at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.

"I don't know if we've sold out, but we're certainly happy with the turnout," Keener said.

While Sinise and his band were the headliners of Saturday's benefit show, the crowds were treated early to a variety of musical acts, belly dancing demonstrations and vendors.

About 20 volunteers from the DuPage County Marines detachment spent the day manning a tent selling corn-on-the-cob.

Victoria Cobbett, an adjutant for the group, which meets at the local VFW hall in Wheaton, said all the nearly $2,500 in expected proceeds would be donated to the daylong fundraising effort. It's the group's third year at the concert.

"We support all of our veterans," said Cobbett, who served three years in the Marine Corps. "Just because we're not on active duty doesn't mean we're not on duty."

Many of those who attended showed their military pride by flying flags around their picnic area or wearing yellow "Support Our Troops" ribbons passed around the crowd by volunteers.

Dan Jostes of South Elgin decided to bring his entire family out for a daylong picnic at the park. His 18-year-old son, Russell, was home on a four-week break from his studies at West Point Military Academy.

"We obviously do what we can to support our troops, but today is also a great way to spend time with the family," Jostes said during a break from tossing a football with his 11-year-old son, Logan.

Ellie