Henderson Event a Major Success with 1,232 Guests in Attendance to Salute "The Greatest Generation"

Saluting "The Greatest Generation"

to 

Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive

 It just doesn't get any better than it did on April 16th when our first "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" show was held at the Henderson Pavilion.

 And if you didn't catch it....you missed "a moment in time" that will be remembered by all who were there.

A preliminary show conducted by John Rothman followed by the main production which I was privileged to have been a part of, sent people home with both cheers and tears, as World War II veterans were honored by Congressman Joe Heck, Henderson Councilwoman Debra March, Judge Mark Stevens of the Henderson Veteran's Treatment Court, alongside a cast of some of the most talented and generous entertainers we are so fortunate to have as part of the Las Vegas community, including Grand Marshall, Marty Allen.

Grand Marshall Marty Allen

Host Mark OToole of our Sunset Station "An Afternoon Affair" show, a man so dedicated to entertainment perfection (and humor).....was joined by a number of gracious performers who donated their talents to honor "The Greatest Generation" as he opened the show with "I Don't Want to Walk Without You".

Lou Gazzara, Denise Clemente, Mark OToole

Genevieve, Corrie Sachs, and Gary Anthony

Dangerous Curves

Incidentally Mark's going to be at The Smith Center's Cabaret Jazz on June 3rd...and the tickets are going at lightning speed !

Denise Clemente...an icon of Las Vegas entertainment who Liberace once accompanied, began the tribute with her a cappella rendition of The National Anthem; and former "Vegas the Show" and "American Idol" finalist, Lou Gazzara, closed the event with "God Bless America", a rendition that should be a part of any event honoring this nation.... so inspiring in his emotion that it should  be considered his "signature" gift to America.

Denise returned later to do "Stuff Like That There" from the Bette Midler movie "For the Boys", and Lou also performed "I'm Gonna Live Til I Die".

In addition, our Red Rock Casino's  "An Afternoon Affair" host, Gary Anthony, in his smooth Sinatra style, did World War II classic songs, "Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week", and also "Night and Day" with dancers from Bally's “Dancing Like the Stars" accompanying him in the background, recreating an elegant moment of the time period.

When I saw Genevieve backstage in her 40s glamorous evening gown, I had to take matters in my own hands; and, as she took my arm, I escorted this "goddess" on stage myself, bowing to her beauty, taking the liberty to kiss her hand, and I left the stage looking for something to calm  the beat of my heart !

Genevieve and Slave

I adore Genevieve, and so did the audience as she first sang "Almost Like Being in Love"  (I already was !), then returning near the end of the show with a song which best described the spirit of the day....."One Moment In Time".

The trio of Dangerous Curves, including the lovely  Lisa Smith, Margaret Menzies, and Karen Michaels, came to the stage in gowns that were so beautiful they looked like they had been made by "the gods"! 

Their Andrews Sisters medley and salute to each branch of our armed forces had the crowd on their feet,  and I could see just about every veteran in the audience cheering as their respective branch of the service was being saluted.

But...I have to save the most emotional moment for last....the wonderful performances of Corrie Sachs of  Country Superstars, and Co-host of the Dennis Bono Show.

Early in the show, Corrie, in a homemade polka dot dress which she and her mom, Alice, had made specifically for the show to honor the World War II fashion era...along with implementing a popular hairstyle of the war years, appeared on stage to first do "Jump Shout Boogie".

Corrie Sachs

It was Corrie's second appearance that created a special moment that left the entire crowd looking for a handkerchief...

After Congressman Joe Heck presented the individualized "Certificates of Appreciation" to the various veteran groups, he asked Corrie to come back on stage to give him a hand with the last one.

Alice and Frank Bedell, Corrie's folks, were sitting in the audience when we sent out one of our ushers to "kidnap" Frank, who is wheelchair bound.

He was brought back stage, and when Congressman Heck asked Corrie to return to the stage, we brought Frank Bedell  from behind the curtain so that they could present him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his being a World War II veteran.

But it didn't stop there !  Corrie took the microphone, looked at her dad, and as the band began to play, sang "You'll Never Know" (How Much I Love  You).

...while we watched Poppa Frank gaze at his daughter singing the words back to her...as a teary audience witnessed what could never have been scripted !

And Corrie....always the sweet lady she's been from the first time I met her, took a few moments to thank each and every veteran on stage for their service to our country. 

Yes indeed, it was special....so special that after the show, Dan Roberts, the publisher of The Vegas Voice, looked at me and said...

 "Dick, you realize we're in big trouble...How do we ever do anything like this again?"

Well, Dan...as you have often said to me, "I haven't figured that out yet"....

...but to our readers....

We'll do our best !

Thanks SO MUCH to those who shared this afternoon with us in saluting these marvelous individuals.

Next Spirit of '45 show is at Palace Station on May 10th.