Terry Fator, ‘Jersey Boys,’ Blue Man Group to take part in Armed Forces Day

Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Terry Fator’s Tribute to the Troops at The Mirage on Nov. 14, 2010.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Friday, May 13, 2011 | 4:03 p.m.

Terry Fator's Tribute to the Troops at The Mirage

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Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

The cast of Jersey Boys collect shoes during the Walk Like A Man shoe drive benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas at the Palazzo on Sept. 2, 2010.

Our nation’s wounded warrior veterans will get the star treatment a week from today as Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaims it G.I. Jams Day and Venetian and Palazzo Chairman Sheldon Adelson gives them a weekend of entertainment, dining and relaxation at his casino resorts.

Service members from Nellis Air Force Base are already at work recording the second G.I. Jams CD to follow the unveiling Friday of the first album of overseas active duty service personnel. Additionally, there will be a G.I. Jams and Nellis AFB concert this Fourth of July.

Meantime, Mirage headliner and America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator wants you to see his mouth moving when he talks about taking care of U.S. servicemen and servicewomen returning from combat. So he donned a pair of combat boots and is this week’s featured celebrity at BootCampaign.com.

It’s a national initiative, and proceeds go to charities that assist military members and their families in coping with physical injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder upon returning from overseas service.

“I wanted to get involved with the Boot Campaign because I don’t believe enough is being done to take care of our military personnel once they get back home,” Terry said.

G.I. Jams, created by songwriters Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers, provides an opportunity for military musicians to sign up and promote their original songs and performances, with money raised going to the charity network.

The first G.I. Jams compilation album features 14 tracks by three veterans of combat in Iraq, Kosovo and Vietnam and five now on active duty. All performed at the Cannery’s Veterans Day show here.

When the troops arrive at McCarran Airport on free Southwest Airlines charter flights in celebration of Armed Forces Day next Friday, the Venetian is providing a police motorcycle escort to the hotel, which is donating free suites for their stay.

The casts of Jersey Boys, which celebrated its third anniversary last night at the Palazzo, and Blue Man Group will greet them with free tickets for their shows. Star Chef Emeril Lagasse is throwing a sports fan experience for them at his Stadium restaurant and sports book bar and a gourmet Omaha Steaks cookout at the Palazzo pools.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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