The Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards are again once more – this time on the anniversary of 9/11.
The annual awards dinner honors an individual or group that exemplifies the mission of The Charlie Daniels Journey Dwelling Challenge, which goals to take care of, assist and encourage those that have served the U.S.
The 2024 occasion, which can happen at Nashville’s Metropolis Vineyard, will acknowledge a number of Patriot Award recipients, together with broadcaster Storme Warren, former NYPD commissioner Bernie Kerick, and Tom Higgins, head of normal providers at Fiserv Integrated in Milwaukee.
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As well as, a three-generation household of first responders – the Vigiano household of Lengthy Island, New York – will likely be acknowledged, together with some who perished whereas responding on 9/11.
David Corlew, Daniels’ longtime supervisor and president of the Journey Dwelling Challenge, referred to as patriarch John Vigiano “one heroic son of a gun” in an interview with Fox Information Digital.
John Vigiano served as an FDNY firefighter and had two sons – John Jr. and Joseph Vigiano. One was a firefighter and the opposite a police officer.
“It’s an incredible story of how patriotism is generational.”
Each sons responded to the terrorist assaults on Sept. 11, 2001, and didn’t survive.
Earlier than 9/11, Detective Joseph Vigiano had three sons — Joseph, James and John — who all went on to serve both with the NYPD or the army.
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“[Joe Vigiano] was a natural-born hero,” Corlew stated. “He was destined by God, or the ability that he believed in, to be a hero, and was one of many first into the towers.”
He added, “It’s an incredible story of how patriotism is generational.”
In an interview with Fox Information Digital, Joe Vigiano’s spouse, Kathleen Vigiano, a retired police officer and volunteer EMT, and two of her sons, Joseph Jr. and James, reacted to their household being honored by the Charlie Daniels crew.
“It’s good to know that individuals do not forget, and that they keep in mind that sacrifice on 9/11.”
“I really feel, personally, that I haven’t achieved something that nobody else has achieved earlier than,” stated NYPD police officer Joseph Vigiano Jr.
“I work for lots of excellent people and quite a lot of nice guys who’re simply as deserving as anybody else to be rewarded for his or her effort.”
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“However it’s good to know that individuals do not forget, and that they keep in mind that sacrifice on 9/11, and the sacrifice that my father, uncle and grandfather made, going out day by day trying to find the victims … It truly is a humbling expertise.”
On the time of the assaults, Joseph Jr.’s father was assigned to Harlem’s Emergency Service Squad Two, and his uncle was assigned to Brooklyn’s Ladder 132.
“They each responded to the World Commerce Middle and tragically misplaced their lives when the tower collapsed,” stated Joseph Vigiano Jr.
His grandfather, FDNY captain John Vigiano, retired after a few years of service.
After shedding each of his sons on 9/11, John Vigiano “devoted his life” to thanking America’s army and first responders, his grandson shared.
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Joseph Vigiano Jr. stated that following in his household’s footsteps “wasn’t the unique plan.”
“Rising up, all of us had completely different profession paths in thoughts,” he stated. “I wished to be a paleontologist.”
“However life had different plans. And after seeing how the members of the NYPD took in my household as one among their very own after the passing of my father, it set me forth on a course to turn into a police officer.”
Joseph Vigiano Jr. needs to let different first responders know that their sacrifice “doesn’t go unnoticed.”
“You took the combat after our household suffered on 9/11,” he stated. “And we keep in mind, and we do admire what you have achieved for us and our household and this nation.”
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Kathleen Vigiano expressed her pleasure for her three sons, together with John Vigiano, who’s at present serving in Hawaii with the U.S. Marine Corps.
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“I am very pleased with my boys,” she stated. “And I admire them being acknowledged [by the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project] for his or her service.”
Whereas the Patriot Awards have usually taken place in October, Corlew stated that having the ceremony on 9/11 this 12 months can be symbolic in honoring all those that served.
“We might honor a whole lot, if not hundreds, of people that did one thing [on 9/11] that was above and past human nature to avoid wasting, restore and take care of us,” he informed Fox Information Digital.
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The occasion will even characteristic particular company, together with army guide Mark “Oz” Geist, identified for his heroic acts in Benghazi, and nation star Hint Adkins.