Not unlike Steve Jobs and some of the dot.com inventors, Sand Jam started in a simple conversation with an Army veteran of Iraq named Rob Lavin. He quipped during a conversation about Nam Jam that, “the organizers should consider adding Sand Jam to the billing and we could all be together.” The ring of the name took hold and has moved forward with its own positive ions.
One of those reservoirs of positive energy, is the staff at Hotel Congress lead by Entertainment Manager David Slutes and his very able executive assistants and interns, Victoria and Alison. With Hotel Congress buying into the creation and launching of this event, it has an added level of credibility that should lead to its position as a permanent cultural event and gathering place in our evolving downtown for our nations veterans of modern warfare. A “Zocalo” if you will for our local vets. A place where they can find resources for their vocations and camaraderie for the soul.
Thank you Hotel Congress for being the Command Post and concert venue for a big, “Thank You To The Men and Women Of the Armed Forces.” What a perfect time to schedule the gathering, on Memorial Day weekend.
A special thank you is extended to the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #106, the creators of the trademarked “Nam Jam,” for providing an endorsement of the event and simultaneously lending their huge fund of knowledge about event management. The communication skills of Dennis St. Germaine and the organizational talents of Sarge Rodriguez are like having an event in a kit!
And last to thank, is Scotty Scotton, Army Corps of Engineers Veteran and founder of CARS4Vets. The creativity and boundless energy of Scotty is sort of the fuel for the whole program. I encourage you to come downtown on Memorial Day and discover what this man does for homeless veterans. It is most unique.
In my estimation the the Gates Foundation should know more about this incredibly compassionate man and his outreach to homeless veterans
So, here we go.
SAND JAM 2010 MAY 30TH/ TUCSON SALUTES VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF DESERT WARS
PLACE: HOTEL CONGRESS & THE HISTORIC TRAIN DEPOT/ DOWNTOWN TUCSON
TIME; 12PM – 8PM
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT- BEER GARDEN- CARS 4 VETS BEST IN SHOW COMPETITION- MONSTER TRUCK SHOW- CAR RAFFLE- MUSCLE CAR SHOW- LOW RIDER CAR SHOW- VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR- M*A*S*H TENT (MILITARY APPRECIATION SPA HOSPITALITY)- CARNIVAL GAMES-JUMPING CASTLE-TRAVELING VA MUSEUM- FAMILY FRIENDLY VENDORS-KIDS ACTIVITIES-FOOD VENDORS -TROLLEY RIDES- FREE RETREATS FOR COMBAT VETERANS AT MERRITT RETREAT CENTER.
BENEFITING VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER # 106 AND CARS 4 VETS
HOTEL CONGRESS -301 E. CONGRESS, TUCSON , ARIZONA 622-8848 www. HOTELCONGRESS.com
Amazing. A communiy event with a huge demographic reach and impact, with a spectacualar mission, created by volunteers who care about the downtown. I say, “bottle it!”
Amazing. A community event with a huge demographic reach and a spectacular mission arranged by volunteeers who care about the downtown. I say, “bottle it!”
Mike, you are quoted in the May 2010 issue of the free Zocalo magazine about Sand Jam, on page 27. The article is entitled “Honoring Vets at Desert Wars.” Good job in organizing this event, and good luck with it.
Thanks. It is coming together swimmingly well. Looks like Nam Jam will be coming downtown too. Good things for our village! Their is a website too. SandJam.org. Seya.
oh no. I did not spell “there” right!
I was one of the on-stage musicians, supporting Vicki Nelson in the 1:30-2:30p time slot. What I saw from that vantage point was a very relaxed, friendly event with something for everyone, including contact points for support groups for veterans and their families. Thanks for the endorsement and support from the long-time “Nam-Jam” people. This was a very nice event, and a fresh take on ‘thank you’ for our most recent vets, bless ‘em all.
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Kudos to Hotel Congress and the volunteers who pulled this event together. We had a ton of fun. And the veteran camaraderie was spiritually invigorating– especially the Memorial Day ceremony with the Marine Color Guard and the bugler on the roof playing taps. Wow what an impact on the soul. I say, do it again.