NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP) kicks off its 10th anniversary in 2024 with a special presentation to Hunt Brothers Pizza founders Scott and Robinson Hunt. This particular flag, which was donated by Shields and Stripes president and former US Air Force Special Warfare Pararescueman Steve Nisbet, was worn by a top-tier Special Operator conducting counter-terrorism operations against ISIS militants and their supporters. On their way to conduct a night raid for a classified high-value target operation in an undisclosed location, one of the helicopters carrying the assault force experienced a catastrophic crash incident.
The Operator wearing the flag was attached to the assault force and immediately conducted rescue of the teams involved in the crash. Of those that were rescued, 22 were significantly injured, and of those, 7 were critically injured requiring medical evacuation out of the country. No American lives were lost because of the actions conducted that evening.
This flag serves as a reminder of what these Special Operators fight for – that we Americans may enjoy the freedoms we have today because brave warriors are willing to lay their lives on the line to ensure we can sleep in security at night. This flag also serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom. Worn by the operator, not to plant in the ground and claim a foreign land as our own, but to ensure that should they die on the battlefield the flag they carried with them is the one that will be laid upon their body when they return with honor.
“It’s hard to believe it has been 10 years since Charlie and I began this journey to set up our foundation to support military and veterans,” says co-founder David Corlew. “Although Charlie isn’t present, he is always with us in spirit as it was his dedication and love for our troops that got all of this started. Now, in 2024, we continue our commitment to support veterans in Charlie’s honor.”
The mission of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project is to help identify, support, and implement the various needs of the men and women of America’s armed forces returning from service. We owe them an unpayable debt of gratitude.
After many years of service and, for some, multiple deployments, the journey home can be a complex process based on the issues of being away from family, friends, and home. Health, both physical and mental, education, and employment are just a few of the many issues both returning vets and families are faced with.
It is our passion to be a beacon of light to direct the veteran (and or family) in the best possible direction to facilitate these needs.
Past recipients of the Charlie Daniels Patriot Award:
2023 – John Taylor, Bob Regan & Don Goodman – founders of Operation Song
2023 – Scott Hunt – founder of Hunt Brothers Pizza
2023 – Lee Greenwood – Country music artist
2022 – Lee Beaman – Nashville businessman
2022 – Joel Pruitt – Green Beret Master Sargeant (ret.); 5th Special Forces Group (aka Task Force Dagger)
2022 – Gary Sinise – Actor & founder of The Gary Sinise Foundation
2021 – Mark “Oz” Geist – ’13 Hours in Benghazi‘ co-author
2021 – Daniel Defense – Firearms manufacturer
2021 – Darryl Worley – Country music artist
2020 – Gov. Mike Huckabee – former Arkansas Governor & TV host (HUCKABEE on TBN)
2019 – Donnie Mingus – former CEO Team Construction
2019 – William Horton – Nashville businessman
2019 – Judy Seale – founder of Stars for Stripes
2018 – Chris Young – Country music artist & Grand Ole Opry member