The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project is a nonprofit organization founded by country music icon Charlie Daniels in 2014, aimed at supporting U.S. military veterans and first responders. Over the past decade, the project has raised about $4 million for the cause, forming relationships with various veteran-advocacy organizations across the country. Despite Daniels’ passing in 2020, his team, including his wife Hazel Daniels and longtime manager David Corlew, have continued to carry out the project’s mission, offering support for the return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of veterans and first responders back into civilian life. Corlew, who is the president and COO of the project, noted that what started as a desire to address the need for veteran support has now become a broader mission, thanks to the support of many individuals who want to help.
In the wake of Daniels’ death, Corlew has continued to support organizations with mutual interests, including Operation Song, War Horses for Veterans, and Charlie Five. He has observed that veteran care has become “generational,” with children of veterans experiencing the impacts of their parents’ service firsthand. Corlew also highlighted the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Families Assistance Program developed at Middle Tennessee State University, with the Journey Home Project’s support. The organization aims to be a small part of what they consider to be the most comprehensive veteran’s assistance center in the country. In addition to fundraising efforts, the project hosts the annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards to honor individuals or groups that exemplify the mission of caring for, supporting, and encouraging those who have served the country.
This year’s Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards event, scheduled for September 11 at Nashville’s City Winery, will honor three recipients, including broadcaster Storme Warren, former NYPD commissioner Bernie Kerick, and Tom Higgins of Fiserv Incorporated. The Vigianos, a three-generation family of first responders based in Long Island, New York, will also be recognized for their service, including those who perished while responding on 9/11. Corlew noted that by having the ceremony on 9/11, it would be symbolic in honoring those who served on that tragic day. He encouraged other veterans and first responders to seek out organizations that can provide support, emphasizing that supporting veterans is a nonpartisan issue that the country should continue to prioritize.
Corlew reflected on the impact that the Journey Home Project has had over the past decade, stating that there is still a significant need in the United States for supporting veterans and first responders. He emphasized that while donations to the project are beneficial, spreading awareness and love for those who have served is equally important. Corlew stressed the importance of working towards a united effort in supporting veterans, highlighting the nonpartisan nature of the cause. He expressed his hope that the country would continue to prioritize the well-being and support of its veterans, as he believes it is a crucial issue that requires ongoing attention and action.
In conclusion, the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project continues to honor the legacy of Charlie Daniels by providing vital support to U.S. military veterans and first responders. Through fundraising efforts, partnerships with advocacy organizations, and events like the Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards, the organization seeks to raise awareness and support for those who have served their country. David Corlew, along with the rest of the team, remains dedicated to carrying out the project’s mission and ensuring that veterans and first responders receive the care, support, and recognition they deserve. Through their ongoing efforts, they hope to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for their country.
