11th Annual Event at Nashville’s City Winery Honors Heroes, Families, and Community Supporters
Pictured above L to R: David Corlew, Co-Founder and President of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project; Greg Doherty, brother of Glen “Bub” Doherty (GRS Operator in Tripoli, Libya); Mark “Oz” Geist, member of the Annex Security Team who fought in the Battle of Benghazi and was profiled in 13 Hours, with his service dog “Rone”; Cheryl Woods, mother of Tyrone “Rone” Woods (GRS Operator for the Annex Security Team in Benghazi); and Kris “Tanto” Paronto and John “Tig” Tiegen, both Annex Security Team members who fought in the Battle of Benghazi and were profiled in 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen | Download Here
(Nashville, Tenn. – September 15, 2025) – The Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner, benefiting The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP), returned to Nashville’s City Winery last night, raising more than $600,000 to fund critical programs for U.S. veterans, first responders, and their families.
Founded in 2014 by the late Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels and longtime manager and friend David Corlew, TCDJHP provides resources to help veterans return, rehabilitate, and reintegrate into civilian life. This year marked the 11th anniversary of the Patriot Awards, honoring individuals and organizations who embody the nonprofit’s mission of service and support.
The evening featured a historic reunion of Annex Security Team members Kris “Tanto” Paronto, John “Tig” Tiegen, and Mark “Oz” Geist—the first time in 13 years that the three men who fought in the Battle of Benghazi had gathered together.
Family members of fallen heroes also appeared, including Cheryl Woods, mother of Tyrone “Rone” Woods (GRS Operator for Annex Security Team in Benghazi), and Greg Doherty, brother of Glen “Bub” Doherty (GRS Operator in Tripoli, Libya).
Nashville business leader Lee Beaman was honored with the Giving Heart Award, which recognizes outstanding dedication to veterans and their families through acts of generosity and long-term commitment. As Chairman and CEO of Beaman Automotive, Beaman has built one of Middle Tennessee’s most respected automotive groups while devoting significant resources to causes that span faith-based organizations, healthcare, education, and veteran support programs.
A 2025 Patriot Award was presented to Debbie McElhinney, Founder and CEO of American Military Family. A proud mother and grandmother, McElhinney has dedicated the past two decades to serving military veterans and their families, a passion rooted in her own family’s history during the Vietnam War era. She has been recognized nationally, including by President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, for her tireless advocacy on behalf of America’s servicemen and women. Today, her organization leads initiatives to directly support troops and their families, with her driving mission focused on ending veteran suicide.
The event also acknowledged the Patriot Award presented earlier this year to the Grand Ole Opry, which was honored during a July 8, 2025, concert at the historic venue. The recognition was part of the “Opry 100 Honors” series celebrating the Opry’s centennial and underscored the ongoing cultural impact of the award.
Additional appearances throughout the evening included TCDJHP co-founder and president David Corlew, General Terry M. “Max” Haston, Mike Carado, and Carolyn Corlew. Hazel Daniels, wife of the late Charlie Daniels, and their son, Charlie Daniels Jr., were also in attendance. The evening was hosted by television and radio broadcaster Storme Warren and included emotional moments of remembrance for Charlie Kirk and Bernard “Bernie” Kerik, along with spirited live and online auctions that boosted fundraising efforts. Notable items included a classic motorcycle previously owned by a veteran, an American flag carried on a culvert drone mission deep within enemy territory by the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (“Night Stalkers”), and many other unique items.
Since its founding, TCDJHP has forged impactful partnerships with organizations such as the Shepherd Center, Operation Song, Charlie Five Equine Therapy, and the Special Forces Community. In 2019, the nonprofit’s donation to Vanderbilt University/VA Medical Center enabled the first CAR-T cancer treatment ever performed at a VA hospital. Today, the Nashville VA remains the only VA hospital in the country offering this lifesaving therapy, with nearly 100 treatments performed on veterans to date.
“The Patriot Awards are about more than one night—they’re about continuing Charlie’s mission to fight for the men and women who have fought for us,” said David Corlew, co-founder and president of TCDJHP. “We are honored by the generosity of our supporters and remain committed to ensuring every dollar raised goes directly to programs that provide hope and healing for our veterans.”
The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping U.S. military veterans successfully return, rehabilitate, and reintegrate into civilian life. Founded in 2014 by the late Charlie Daniels and his manager, David Corlew, the organization partners with vetted programs to maximize impact, offering resources in healthcare, education, employment, and mental health support.
For more information, visit www.thecharliedanielsjourneyhomeproject.org
Pictured above L to R: David Corlew, co-founder and president of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, with Nashville business leader Lee Beaman, recipient of this year’s Giving Heart Award. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen | Download Here
Pictured above (L to R): David Corlew, co-founder and president of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, with Debbie McElhinney, Founder and CEO of American Military Family and recipient of the 2025 Patriot Award. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen | Download Here
Pictured above (L to R): David Corlew, co-founder and president of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, alongside the evening’s host, Storme Warren. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen | Download Here
Pictured above: Singer-songwriter Mike Corado performs an original song inspired by a prayer recited to the fallen soldiers on the rooftop in Benghazi by the three surviving members of the Annex Security Team. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen | Download Here
Pictured above: Carolyn Corlew performs the “23rd Psalm” before delivering the evening’s invocation. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen | Download Here
Pictured above: David Corlew, co-founder and president of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, alongside Major General Terry M. “Max” Haston – both dedicated board members of The Journey Home Project. Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen | Download Here
