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PITTSBURG —
Gene and Rita Bicknell were recently honored as “Hometown Heroes” for their key contributions in staging the sixth annual Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute for severely wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
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The conference took place Dec. 12-16 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The Bicknells were presented the Hometown Heroes Award by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes in recognition of their role in providing entertainment during the final gala dinner for the 500 soldiers and family members attending the conference.
“Gene and I were in Orlando and had the opportunity to entertain about 300 families of wounded soldiers,” Rita Bicknell said in a telephone interview from Florida. “Gene put together the entertainment to give them a little bit of Christmas brightness in their lives. This was a night of fun and relaxation for the soldiers and the families who have a parent who was wounded.”
The couple, who own the Mansion America Theater in Branson, Mo., arranged at no charge a two-hour concert featuring several leading country music artists, including the Redneck Tenors, Jamie O’Neal and Brian Wilson.
“We are deeply indebted to the Bicknells for all they did to ensure the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute truly ended on a high note,” said David Walker, chairman of the CSAH Board of Directors. “Thanks to Gene and Rita’s generosity, all of the wounded veterans and their families who took part in the event went home with a strong awareness of just how much their patriotic service to our country is appreciated.”
“Gene has a heart for our veterans at all levels and all stages,” Bicknell said.
Formerly a business entrepreneur who founded five companies and became the world’s largest operator of Pizza Hut franchises, her husband has been devoting much of his time in recent years to the entertainment industry. At Mansion America, he was the creative force behind “Celebrate America,” a show composed of musical numbers and scenes that traced America’s history and always included a salute to veterans. In April 2009 he gathered Tony Orlando, several country music artists and former Miss Americas on a mission to entertain U.S. troops serving in the Middle East.
His wife said that their experience at the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute, jointly presented by CSAH and the American Legion, was extremely moving.
“These were young families at the conference, with a lot of children under 10,” Bicknell said. “The attitude of these wounded soldiers is just amazing. They were wheeling around with their 5- or 6-year-old children hanging on, just being a parent.”
Gene and Rita Bicknell were recently honored as “Hometown Heroes” for their key contributions in staging the sixth annual Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute for severely wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
.
The conference took place Dec. 12-16 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The Bicknells were presented the Hometown Heroes Award by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes in recognition of their role in providing entertainment during the final gala dinner for the 500 soldiers and family members attending the conference.
“Gene and I were in Orlando and had the opportunity to entertain about 300 families of wounded soldiers,” Rita Bicknell said in a telephone interview from Florida. “Gene put together the entertainment to give them a little bit of Christmas brightness in their lives. This was a night of fun and relaxation for the soldiers and the families who have a parent who was wounded.”
The couple, who own the Mansion America Theater in Branson, Mo., arranged at no charge a two-hour concert featuring several leading country music artists, including the Redneck Tenors, Jamie O’Neal and Brian Wilson.
“We are deeply indebted to the Bicknells for all they did to ensure the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute truly ended on a high note,” said David Walker, chairman of the CSAH Board of Directors. “Thanks to Gene and Rita’s generosity, all of the wounded veterans and their families who took part in the event went home with a strong awareness of just how much their patriotic service to our country is appreciated.”
“Gene has a heart for our veterans at all levels and all stages,” Bicknell said.
Formerly a business entrepreneur who founded five companies and became the world’s largest operator of Pizza Hut franchises, her husband has been devoting much of his time in recent years to the entertainment industry. At Mansion America, he was the creative force behind “Celebrate America,” a show composed of musical numbers and scenes that traced America’s history and always included a salute to veterans. In April 2009 he gathered Tony Orlando, several country music artists and former Miss Americas on a mission to entertain U.S. troops serving in the Middle East.
His wife said that their experience at the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute, jointly presented by CSAH and the American Legion, was extremely moving.
“These were young families at the conference, with a lot of children under 10,” Bicknell said. “The attitude of these wounded soldiers is just amazing. They were wheeling around with their 5- or 6-year-old children hanging on, just being a parent.”
She added that the conference included many more activities, all aimed at helping those attending to rebuild their lives.
“Among them was job training, which helps the wounded soldiers identify the things they can do with their disabilities and enable them to integrate back into society at a level they’re comfortable with,” Bicknell said.
Experts from government, the private sector and other non-profit organizations shared information on topics ranging from healthcare and insurance to employment opportunities and post traumatic stress disorder.
“Testing was provided for post traumatic stress disorder, and the families were tested as well as the soldiers,” Bicknell said. “When a soldier comes back with the problem, the whole family is affected.”
Other activities included a workshop on resume writing and interview skills, and breakout sessions on enhancing personal relationships, caregiver support, veterans housing benefits and other subjects.
The American Legion will provide follow-up services to the conference attendees in their communities across the country.
“The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes is a wonderful organization and the conference was a wonderful event,” Bicknell said. “This was an unforgettable evening for Gene and for me.”
