The Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards are back again — this time Anniversary of 9/11.
The annual awards dinner honors an individual or group who exemplifies the mission of the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, which aims to care for, support and encourage those who serve America.
the 2024 event, which will be 13. Nashville City Winery © Nashville City WinerySeveral Patriot Award recipients will be honored at the ceremony, including broadcaster Storme Warren, former NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik and Tom Higgins, chief of general services for Fiserv Incorporated in Milwaukee.
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Additionally, a family of three generations of first responders — the Viggiano family of Long Island, New York — will be honored, some of whom were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
The Charlie Daniels Patriot Award honors America’s servicemen, veterans and first responders, as well as the people who support and care for them. (Charlie Daniels’ Journey Home Project)
David Corleau, the Daniels’ longtime manager and president of the Journey Home Project, called family patriarch John Viggiano “a heroic warrior” in an interview with Fox News Digital.
John Viggiano worked as an FDNY firefighter and had two sons – John Jr. and Joseph Viggiano. One was a firefighter and the other a police officer.
“It’s an amazing story of how patriotism is passed down from generation to generation.”
Both sons were injured in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, but did not survive.
Before 9/11, Detective Joseph Viggiano had three sons , Joseph, James and John , who all went on to work with either nypd Or military.
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“(Joe Viggiano) was a born hero,” Corlew said. “He was destined to be a hero by God or the power he believed in, and he was one of the first to go into the towers.”
“It’s an amazing story of how patriotism is passed down from generation to generation,” he said.
(Left to right) Kathleen Viggiano, Joseph Viggiano Jr. and James Viggiano, Long Island, New York. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Joe Viggiano’s wife, Kathleen Viggiano, who is a retired police officer and volunteer EMT, and their two sons, Joseph Jr. and James, reacted to their family being honored by the Charlie Daniels team.
“It’s nice to know that people don’t forget the sacrifices of 9/11 and remember them.”
“I personally feel I haven’t done anything that somebody else hasn’t done before,” he said. NYPD Police Officer Joseph Viggiano Jr.
“I work for a lot of good people and great people who are just as deserving of rewards for their efforts as anyone else.”
“But it’s nice to know that people don’t forget, and they remember the sacrifice of 9/11, and the sacrifice my father, uncle and grandfather made, going out every day looking for victims … It’s a really humbling experience.”
At the time of the attacks, Joseph Jr.’s father was stationed at Harlem’s Emergency Service Squad Two, and his uncle was stationed at Brooklyn’s Ladder 132.
Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump, Republican US vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance, US President Joe Biden and Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris will attend a ceremony marking the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on September 11, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Sager)
“They both went to attack the World Trade Center and died tragically when the towers collapsed,” Joseph Viggiano Jr. said.
His grandfather, FDNY Capt. John Viggiano, retired after many years of service.
After losing both of his sons on 9/11, John Viggiano “dedicated his life” to thanking America’s military and first responders, his grandson said.
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Joseph Viggiano Jr. said following in his family’s footsteps “wasn’t the original plan.”
“Growing up we all had different career paths in mind. I wanted to be a paleontologist,” he said.
“But life had other plans. And when I saw how the NYPD members adopted my family as their own after my father’s death, I set out on the path to becoming a police officer.” Police officer,
A memorial to the NYPD victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack will be displayed during the annual 9/11 commemoration ceremony on September 11, 2024 at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Joseph Viggiano Jr. wants other first responders to know that their sacrifices “will not go unnoticed.”
“You fought back after the loss of our family on 9/11,” he said. “And we remember, and we appreciate, and we protect what you’ve done for us.” Our Family And for this country.”
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Kathleen Viggiano expressed pride in her three sons, including John Viggiano, who is currently serving in Hawaii. US Marine Corps,
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“I’m very proud of my sons,” she said. “And I appreciate them being honored (by the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project) for their service.”
Charlie Daniels (left) and his longtime assistant David Corlew (right) began the Charlie Daniels Journey Home project 10 years ago. (Charlie Daniels’ Journey Home Project)
Although the Patriot Awards are typically held in October, Corlew said this year’s ceremony on 9/11 will be a symbol of honoring all those who served.
“We can honor the hundreds, if not thousands, of people who did something that was beyond human nature to protect, restore and care for us (on 9/11),” he told Fox News Digital.
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The event will also feature special guests, including military advisor Mark “Oz” Geist, known for his heroic actions in Benghazi, and Country star Trace Adkins.
