For Immediate Release
July 8, 2024
Scotty Hasting Slated to Celebrate Fellow Veterans
at the Second Annual National Veterans Parade
in Washington, DC
Hasting Readies an Opening Ceremonies Performance
at the Steps of the Historic National Archive (11/10)
The Parade to Take Hasting, Armed Forces Honor Guards, Veterans Service Organizations, and More from the National Archives to the White House Ellipse
Washington, D.C. and Nashville, Tenn., July 08: On the heels of our nation’s Independence Day, The National Veterans Parade Foundation honors those men and women who fought for freedom and announces the Second Annual National Veterans Parade in Washington, DC. Set for Sunday, November 10th, 2024, the first-ever National Veterans Parade on Constitution Avenue’s National Parade Route will serve as our much overdue salute to the Men and Women of the Armed Forces.
Beginning with Opening Ceremonies at the National Archives at 11:00 AM EST, we will honor our Constitution and the Sacred Oath taken by all who have served, with performances and tributes by musical performers, celebrities, and our Grand Marshal.
The National Veterans Parade Foundation proudly announces a special Opening Ceremony Performance by Country Music rising star, and Purple Heart recipient Scotty Hasting. As featured in People.com, the Black River recording artist, songwriter, and combat-wounded former infantryman returned from the experience of a lifetime honoring the courageous WWII Veterans on the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy as the sole American Country music artist. Now gearing up to take the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage on July 28 for his debut during the special Opry Celebrates: 30 Years of Forrest Gump – upon receiving a personal invite from actor, director, producer, musician, and humanitarian Gary Sinise to perform – Hasting continues to move forward his mission to help anyone struggling with loss or their mental health find solace through his music.
“Scotty is the perfect embodiment of today’s Veteran who has returned home from his battle experiences, where he continues to overcome both his physical and emotional scars of a combat wounded Veteran,” says Francis Ventura, Executive Director of the National Veterans Parade Foundation.
Hasting is set to perform the anthemic “I’m America,” and other hit songs from his newly released EP of the same name, opposite the National Archives DC at the National Veterans Parade Opening Ceremonies, free to the Public. All Veterans and our supporters are encouraged to participate in this Concert Performance!
The Parade will step off at Noon at 7th St. and Constitution, include our Armed Forces Honor Guards, Marching Bands, Floats, Historic Motor Vehicles, and, of course, our numerous Veterans Service Organizations, and conclude at 17th St. at the White House Ellipse.
This long overdue National Parade for our Veterans celebrates our second year, and the National Veterans Parade Foundation is honored to produce this Event and provide assistance to Veterans Charitable Organizations. For general info, participation, sponsorship, or individual donations, visit www.nationalveteransparade.org
ABOUT NATIONAL VETERANS PARADE FOUNDATION:
National Veterans Parade Foundation
100 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20036
Non Profit 501c3 # 92-2400150
1-800-942-1960
[email protected]
ABOUT SCOTTY HASTING:
“For me, the demons of PTSD knock the loudest when it’s quiet. When I have a guitar in my hands I find peace,” says songwriter, artist, and Army Veteran, Scotty Hasting. In April of 2011, the former Army Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division 4th Squadron 4th Cavalry was left fighting for his life flying out of Afghanistan on a medivac after being shot ten times. Narrowly escaping death, Hasting was left with severe nerve damage to his right hand and a loss of purpose as he was unable to continue his journey in the army. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit and shut down most of the world, the Purple Heart recipient picked up the unused guitar that sat in the corner of his room, opened YouTube, and set out to teach himself how to master the instrument in hopes of fighting the isolation and silence. Hasting was immediately overtaken by this new passion and began to write his own original music, attending his first open mic night in Cookeville, TN — a night that changed his life forever as he found that he was able to escape his PTSD while on stage performing. In classic Nashville fashion, a chance encounter with the son of Black River Entertainment’s President and CEO, Gordon Kerr, brought him into the sights of renowned hit songwriter, producer, and Black River’s Vice President of A&R Doug Johnson, which led to the signing of Hasting’s record deal with Black River late in 2023. Now on a mission to help anyone struggling with loss or their mental health find solace through his music, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky native bares his heart to listeners in his debut EP, I’m America (5/3). After hearing the project’s title track, “I’m America” (2/9), written by Wade Kirby and Phil O’Donnell, Hasting knew he had to record it. “Every single line of this song is why I decided to enlist in the Army,” says Hasting. Hasting’s debut single on Black River, “How Do You Choose” (11/3) strikes a chord with anyone who has been left to pick up the pieces from a life-changing moment that’s left them asking God that age-old question. The “promising, impactful debut” (Billboard) details Hasting’s first visit to best friend Adam Hamilton’s tombstone following his death. Having found his escape from PTSD through archery and music, the “I’m America” hitmaker” (People Magazine) devotes his time and talents to several organizations, including CreatiVets, Guitars 4 Vets, Operation Encore, to offer other veterans the same tranquility. Despite only first picking up a guitar in 2020, Hasting has already opened for incredible artists including Dave Grohl, Tanya Tucker, Jelly Roll, Chris Janson, and more, recently represented the U.S. with multiple performances in Normandy, France during a week-long celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and is slated to step into the coveted Circle for his Grand Ole Opry debut (7/28) during the Opry’s celebration of 30 years of “Forrest Gump.”
Media Contacts:
Dawn Delvo | [email protected]
Ally Roden | Publicity Coordinator | 214-960-9459 | [email protected]
National Veterans Parade Foundation | [email protected]