By Stephanie Benhart, sbenhart@qconline.com

More photos from this shoot

Photo: Stephanie Makosky "A Night To Honor Our Heroes" will be held on September 5 at LeClaire Park in Davenport. The concert is to help wounded warriors, and to gain national support and attention. Concert promoter, Kathryn Bohn has organized many Christian concerts to help non-profits in the Quad Cities and sees the concert as a way to "honor God, Country and our Heroes." A press conference was held Wednesday afternoon near LeCaire Park to help promote the event. Wounded warrior Jose Santiago, Lt. General Leroy Sisco, and Pastor Matthew Hagee spoke at the conference. Mr. Santiago was injured in Iraq and spent two years in recovery back in 2007. Pastor Hagee stated that Septemeber 5, will let soldiers know you don't take them for granted.

DAVENPORT -- Fundraising for Kathryn Bohn's 4-year "dream come true" concert kicked of Wednesday afternoon at LeClaire Park.

The concert, "A Night to Honor Our Heroes," is planned Sept. 5 at the park to benefit wounded warriors. Pastor Matthew Hagee and Lt. Gen. Leroy Sisco (Ret.) flew in Wednesday afternoon to promote the event and see LeClaire Park for the first time.

"I'm just blown away," said Lt. Gen. Sisco as he walked through the park.

"I had a totally different concept in mind," Mr. Hagee said.

Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith will headline the concert, with guests to include Mr. Hagee, John Waller and Dennis Wilson. Wounded warriors, such as Navy Cross and Purple Heart recipient Jeremiah Workman, also will make special appearances.

Profits from the concert will go to the Military Warriors Support Foundation begun by Lt. Gen. Sisco. The foundation has helped more than 5,000 returning, injured troops by providing scholarships, job retraining, job placement, financial assistance, counseling and retreat and recreational opportunities.

"I wanted to provide a venue for our patriotic citizens to come out and say 'thank you' to our military warriors who have sacrificed so much for all of us," said Ms. Bohn.

Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba and aldermen were on hand Wednesday to show their support, with an opening fundraiser held Wednesday evening at Kate and Tom McGovern's home.

Jose Santiago, a wounded soldier himself, helped jump-start the event. Mr. Santiago was in recovery for two years -- eight months of which he was paralyzed -- after returning from Iraq. He was told by doctors he would be lucky to be able to use his hands.

Now, Mr. Santiago can walk and has made almost a complete recovery. Wounded Warriors, faith and hope made that possible, he said.

"This is not a game," Mr. Santiago said. "We need help -- us, the wounded warriors. You don't have to see the wounds on the outside; you've got to worry about the wounds on the inside."

Mr. Hagee said he was happy to be on hand to "support this wonderful event in honor of some of the most outstanding men America has to offer."

Lt. Gen. Sisco asked for the community's help in honoring as many warriors as possible Sept. 5. "I have no shame in asking for money for these heroes," he said.

"Hope is the main thing," Mr. Hagee said.

Ticket sales start Saturday at Family Christian Bookstores in Davenport and Moline with reduced prices for active duty, National Guard and Reserves members and free for children 12 and younger.

Children 8 to 12 years old who have a parent in the military will have the opportunity to sing on stage with Michael W. Smith. Singers will be required to attend two rehearsals. For more information or to sign up, contact Sheila Heubach by Aug. 12 at (563) 528-0395 or sheila77@me.com.

For more information, visit www.militarywarriors.org or contact Kathryn Bohn at (563) 386-8547 or kmbohn@mchsi.com.