Breckenridge Village of Tyler Salutes America

Breckenridge Village of Tyler Salutes America at Eighth Annual Night to Remember

Photo: Family at Night to Remember Event

More than 700 guests sang, danced and laughed at Breckenridge Village of Tyler’s (BVT) Eighth Annual “A Night to Remember” on Friday, February 24, at the KE Bushman’s Celebration Center. Red, white and blue décor, a Statue of Liberty replica, and flags representing each branch of the Armed Forces accented the event’s patriotic theme, Stars, Stripes and Lots of Laughter.

Event headliner, comedian Jeff Allen, brought the laughs with his family-friendly, side-splitting brand of humor. Allen has performed his comedy for audiences for more than forty years, drawing from his experiences as a husband, father and grandparent.
“People are still calling and saying they hadn’t laughed that much in years,” said Linda Taylor, BVT Associate Executive Director of Advancement. 
Warming up the stage for Allen were musical performances by George Faber & Friends, Casey Rivers (star of TV show Nashville Star) and Texas’ all-women quartet, Shake Rattle & Roll. Shake Rattle & Roll, known for performing their repertoire of oldies in beautiful harmonies, offered their rendition of The Shirelles’ 1962 hit, Soldier Boy, in serenade to Mr. Ardene Hendley, a World War II veteran and BVT volunteer who attended the event.

“The highlight of the evening was definitely the residents – from kicking off the show with the prayer and the pledge, down to wearing their lighted hats and proudly waving an American flag in their grand finale performance, to a standing ovation from those in attendance,” said Taylor. “All their beautiful smiles and happy faces reflected their genuine love for God, family and country.”

Photo: Man speaking at Night to Remember Event

A young woman who lives at BVT, Erin, led the audience in prayer at the start of the show, and Jesse, a participant in BVT’s day-program, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Later in the program, BVT residents donned illuminated patriotic hats and marched down the center aisle singing the century-old patriotic march “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

“They’re always awesome,” said Taylor of the BVT residents, “the people were on their feet!”

Donors and community partners who helped make the annual event possible include the de Wet family of Kiepersol Enterprises, Sandy King, and Chick-fil-A sponsors, Jeff & Debra Johnston and Ikey & Allison Eason. All proceeds from A Night to Remember benefit the residents and day-program participants through the scholarship fund at BVT, a faith-based community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information about BVT, visit BreckeridgeVillage.com.