TAPS Celebrity Classic: Honoring Fallen Heroes with Award-Winning Songwriters Show

Story and photos by
Lisa Perry

Colorado Celebrity Classic

at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum benefiting TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) at 5:30 p.m.

It wasn’t just “a little bit country.” It was pure country from all sides: the guests’ attire, the music and stories told by talented songwriters, and the Texas prime-rib dinner that was well worth falling off a diet for. Most importantly, every Colorado Celebrity Classic is focused on honoring our country’s fallen military heroes and supporting their surviving families by raising money for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) programs and services.

Colorado founders and event directors Lynne and Bo Cottrell

On Saturday, September 10, guests gathered at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum for an evening of stories, songs, supper and some decidedly goofy moments wrapped around remembrance of loved ones lost. The evening began with a silent auction and prime-rib dinner buffet provided by Coors Cowboy Club Chuckwagon Crew–25 members who annually travel to Denver from Amarillo, Texas, to prepare a down-home meal reminiscent of those served during Old West cattle drives. Dinner music was provided by Tony David & Wildefire, with performances by singer-songwriter Franki Moscato and young TAPS surviving family member Collin Wong.

Emcee Steffan Tubbs, of KNUS 710, welcomed guests before speakers took the stage: Bo and Lynne Cottrell, Colorado founders and event directors; and Bonnie Carroll, TAPS president and founder. John Anderson led a spirited live auction full of generous bidders. The entertaining Songwriters Show featured stories and music from these award-winning songwriters and musicians: Frank Meyers, Anthony Smith, Wynn Varble, Brice Long and Jimmy Nichols.

Songwriters (l to r): Brice Long, Anthony Smith, Wynn Varble and Frank Myers

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national non-profit organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to more than 100,000 military loss survivors. To learn more about Colorado events and services, go to: TAPS.org/Colorado, or call 303-696-0450. For more organization information go to: TAPS.org. Anyone can access the TAPS 24/7 National Hotline…Call 800-959-TAPS(8277).

: Bill and Jane Ames

: (l to r): Vickie Dow, Jackie Rotole, Sherri Huntsinger, Deborah Dies, sponsor Arlene Johnson, Craig and Joni Dies

: Wildefire: Tony David and Pamela Hughes

: TAPS families (l to r): Collin, Lynn and Juliana Wong; and Giana and Griselda Gallietti

: Penny Shuey and Fred Beisser

: At the pop-up TAPS store

: Volunteers (l to r): Denise Drager, Marla Downer, Executive Committee member Liza Patton, Jean Ryan, Rita Hyland

: Jay and Kristina Davidson, representing sponsor First American State Bank

: The food from the Coors Cowboy Club Chuckwagon Crew drew a lot of smiles.

: (l to r): Arlene Johnson, with Executive Committee members David and Annette Jewell

: (l to r): Vickie Dow, Jackie Rotole, Sherry Huntsinger

: Executive Committe member and sponsor Edie Marks (left) and Saundra Sweeney

: Colorado founders and event directors Lynne and Bo Cottrell

: Brandi Nord (left) and Kris Wintroub

: (l to r): Brandi Nord, Kim Uhrig, Kylie Uhrig and Kris Wintroub, of sponsor Greiner Electric

: TAPS president and founder Bonnie Carroll (right), with Denver Nuggets great Bill Hanzlik and singer-songwriter Franki Moscato

: The silent auction area at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

: Title sponsor Michael Condon and Barbara Bowen

: Coors Cowboys Club Chuckwagon Crew members serve as food buffet greeters and navigators.

: These people all liked each other so much they pushed together their two tables during dinner.

: At one of the beverage stations

: Sponsor Sharon Sweeney Barbillon and Jerry Barbillon

: (l to r): Tom and Theresa Melaragano, Mike and Christina Ward

: (l to r): Executive Committee members Jeff and Rene Tomczak, Rene Green and Jake Jabs, sponsor and Executive Committee Emeritus

: Executive Committee member Tom Tarver, with Scottie Iverson

: Pam and former Rockies pitcher Jason Hirsh

: Presenting the always-coveted prime rib from the Coors Cowboy Club Chuckwagon Crew.

: Pete Coors always serves up Coors Cowboy Club Chuckwagon Crew chow, but was called away from the event. However, his dog Zander was allowed to stay and look adorable.