Videos: Honoring wounded warriors in Las Vegas

posted at 8:00 am on May 21, 2011 by Ed Morrissey

This weekend, I am staying at the Palazzo in Las Vegas to cover their tribute to wounded warriors, an effort made by the Sands Corporation for the past several years.  Sands Corporation partnered with Southwest Airlines to bring Marines and soldiers from military hospitals in Washington DC and San Antonio, Texas in order to treat them to the kind of weekend usually reserved for high rollers.  The event was coordinated through the Armed Forces Foundation, which was originally formed years ago to help the children of men and women in the military, but whose mission changed significantly after 9/11.

The reception for the veterans was quite stirring.  The employees of the Palazzo lined up from the front door through the lobby to an atrium, and as they gathered, more and more of the tourists in the casino joined them to cheer the veterans through the building.  Active-duty men and women in the service filled out the final 50 feet or so:

The Palazzo held a welcoming ceremony in the atrium.  Newly-appointed Senator Dean Heller spoke for a few minutes, as did the cast of Jersey Boys (who also sang the national anthem), Patricia Driscoll of the Armed Forces Foundation, and Jimbo Larsen, a Southwest customer service manager at McCarron Airport and himself a veteran of two tours in Iraq.  Sands chair Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Dr. Mary Adelson, spoke last:


Welcoming ceremony at The Palazzo for wounded… by cptned

Later, I spoke with Sands VP Andy Abboud about the events held by the casino for wounded veterans over the years.  You’ll hear his replies perfectly well, but my questions might be hard to hear, due to the acoustics in the atrium area and the very directional microphone I used yesterday:

In another post, I’ll have a couple of interviews with the Sands’ partners in this event. I will also get a chance to talk to a few of the veterans themselves tomorrow, and will have those videos later this weekend.

Note: The Palazzo paid my travel expenses to cover this event.

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what a great country we live in.

rob verdi on May 21, 2011 at 8:02 AM

great post, Ed. Thanks for going and covering this event. Over the next several years, there are many wounded veterans that are going to require continued diligence and care. As an AD service member and veteran, I appreciate your efforts on this front. RLTW.

ted c on May 21, 2011 at 8:09 AM

God Bless our veterans and all who serve our country…

OmahaConservative on May 21, 2011 at 8:19 AM

I am so happy that we have rekindled the attitude of appreciation for those who write a blank check for our benefit. ALL of these wounded warriors are volunteers, and many probably re-upped and have served multiple tours. Look at them…..very young men and women who have been maimed for the rest of their lives. This is the LEAST wee can do to honor them and do what we can to ease the burden of their sacrifice.

God bless them and God bless America!

csdeven on May 21, 2011 at 8:21 AM

The best of the best. Thanks, Ed.

princetrumpet on May 21, 2011 at 8:25 AM

I thank those veterans from the bottom of my heart. Bless them all. What a video. Thanks Ed.

NYconservative on May 21, 2011 at 8:28 AM

Thanks for going CE.

SwabJockey on May 21, 2011 at 8:44 AM

Amen! Thanks Ed!!!!

Khun Joe on May 21, 2011 at 8:44 AM

Note: The Palazzo paid my travel expenses to cover this event.

sweet deal. a trip to vegas and all you have to do is post a few weekend fillers.

sesquipedalian on May 21, 2011 at 8:49 AM

Nice story, Ed. Enjoy your weekend with those extraordinary people who serve/served our country.

Fallon on May 21, 2011 at 9:00 AM

What a great opportunity Mr. Morrissey, thanks for bringing it to us.

Cindy Munford on May 21, 2011 at 10:02 AM

Thanks for the post it really warms the heart.

whbates on May 21, 2011 at 10:02 AM

So this is paid advertising?

misterpeasea on May 21, 2011 at 10:03 AM

Thanks Ed and thanks to The Palazzo and Sands Corporation and Southwest Airlines for this event.

xplodeit on May 21, 2011 at 10:16 AM

It is just wonderful so many companies and American’s love and honor our men, women, their families, and even the four leg military members. Thank God for them all!
L

letget on May 21, 2011 at 10:20 AM

I would just be a big puddle of tears on the floor if I were there. God Bless our military and there is never enough that we can do for them.

Cindy Munford on May 21, 2011 at 10:27 AM

Bam! Right out of the box on a Saturday morning you show this stuff.
THANKS ED!

Vince on May 21, 2011 at 10:31 AM

I live in Vegas and had no idea this was happening. I would have loved to be there for that.

Sheldon Adelson is the owner of the Venetian and Palazzo, both beautiful places. He is a conservative who operates his casinos without unions.

Jvette on May 21, 2011 at 10:31 AM

This is another reason why the Palazzo is my family’s choice of hotel in Vegas.

I spoke to a couple of employees last time I was there and they couldn’t say enough wonderful things about the ownership.

A lot different than the crap that Harrah’s pulled during the last election.

gophergirl on May 21, 2011 at 11:11 AM

Thanks Ed, and Happy Armed Forces Day to one and all!

Speaking of the Wounded Warriors, don’t know how many of you saw the nice story this past week about how a group of them, accompanied by some NFL folks, successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, which is over 19,000 feet tall.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/19/fisher-bruschi-reach-kilimanjaro-summit/

Among the climbers were former New England Patriot Tedy Bruschi (who as you recall had a stroke a few years ago!), Chad Lewis, and coach Jeff Fisher. Well done, team!

Del Dolemonte on May 21, 2011 at 11:26 AM

There are more of these wonderful people than there are those bad people (we know who they are). Thanks for your effort in this direction as I haven’t seen this on 60 Minutes (of pain). We will prevail with the help of The Palazzo and Sands Corporation and Southwest Airlines and the people behind the scenes. God bless them, every one.

frizzbee on May 21, 2011 at 11:29 AM

Did not expect this in Vegas of all places. Good for them and good for our men and women in uniform.

Uncle Sams Nephew on May 21, 2011 at 6:31 PM