ROCKIN' FOR THE TROOPS!

On Saturday, July 19th, one of Chicagolands premier "Troop Supporting" events will take place. It's the annual Rockin for the Troops Concert created by Operation Support Our Troops.

The concert will be held at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois. I have to say, just visiting the park is worth the cost of admission and I highly suggest you and your family make a day of it.

SIDEBAR - Cantigny Park is the former estate of Col. Robert McCormick (former owner/editor of the Chicago Tribune.) When Col. McCormick died, his estate was turned into a museum that honors his beloved Army 1st Division ... the Big Red 1. I started visiting Cantigny (pronounced "can-tea-knee") when I was about 5-years old. My father, a WWII Veteran, made sure we made that trip at least twice a year. There are military vehicle surrounding the main museum, usually covered with children climbing all over them. The main museum was redesigned in 1991 and is one of the most interesting, inner-active museums I have ever seen. You literally walk onto the battlefields that the Big Red 1 fought on ... from Col. McCorkmick's first victory in Cantigny, France during WWI, to the landing of Omaha Beach in WWII ... you'll even walk through the jungles of Vietnam, and you'll learn more about American history than you would have ever imagined.

The gardens surrounding the McCormick mansion are breathtaking and are a constant feature in "Better Homes and Gardens." From the "Idea Garden" where families learn new and interesting planting ideas from award winning experts, to the most beautiful and fragrant rose gardens. View mile after mile of the most beautiful hybrid flower gardens in the Midwest. Col. McCormick's mansion is available for tours and it has been featured as the background for some of Hollywood's greatest movies, including "A League of Their Own."

If the museum and the grounds surrounding the museum aren't enough to entice you to spend a little money with your family for a great patriotic day, maybe the entertainment line will!

Noon - Cantigny Park Opens
4:00 PM - American English - Tribute to The Beatles
6:30 PM - Opening Ceremony
7:00 PM - Tom Dreesen - internationally known comedian
7:30 PM - Television's NY-CSI star, Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band
Also appearing will be the great Dick Biondi, Big John Howell and Cisco Cotto, and Brant Miller

To date, Operation Support Our Troops in Illinois, has sent out over 15,000 care packages to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq; 5600 of those in 2007 . . . that's more than 63 tons in a year! OSOTIL has also raised over $250,000 for the needs of returning wounded military personnel. Supporting America’s wounded military personnel is another facet of the mission that OSOTIL is looking to expand upon in the upcoming year.

What amazes me is that this entire event and Operation Support Our Troops was inspired by Debbie Rickert, the CEO of this fantastic 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization. Deb is a Naperville, Illinois resident who's son is currently serving our country ... this is a "grass-roots" organization that is making a huge difference in the war on terrorism. I'm proud to say that my partner at Forgotten Heroes, decorated Vietnam Veteran-Bob Kolling, who was with Deb from the beginning as one of her board members, continues to support this great event and cause.

So, if you and your family haven't made your plans to attend this great event, take a chance; you'll see one of America's premier museums, you'll see breathtaking gardens, you'll see a mansion that Winston Churchill, Charles Lindberg and a few US Presidents slept in ... and you see one of the greatest concerts to come into Illinois this year ... you'll feel a rush of patriotism, and most important, you'll be helping an organization that does nothing but support American troops overseas.

For tickets and more information about the concert, visit Click here: OSOT Illinois Home Page