Sergeant Colton Levi Derr 1st Annual Gala
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 14, 2014
CONTACT: Jerry W. Derr
1st Annual Sergeant Colton Levi Derr Foundation Gala
Caputa, SD - The Sergeant Colton Levi Derr Foundation (SCLDF) announces their 1st Annual Gala in support of veterans on Saturday, Oct. 25. The gala fundraiser will be held at The Central States Fair Grounds (Rapid City) in the Fine Arts building. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with event ceremonies kicking off at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance.
Dr. Julie Ertz will host and retired U.S. Army SFC Troy Spear is the night’s main speaker. The gala will feature a social hour, dinner, a silent/live auction and a dance with live music by Brandon Jones and The Thirsty Fish. A business evening attire is recommended but not required.
Founded in 2012, SCLDF is steadfast in our three fold mission: Veteran advocacy, assistance and public awareness of the battles our heroes face when they come home.
Sergeant Colton Levi Derr suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following his combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In support of American’s War on Terror during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring freedom, SGT Derr, US Army 1st Calvary Division completed over 500 combat missions. Six weeks after returning stateside from his Afghanistan mission - Sergeant Derr succumbed to suicide.
Colton’s father, Jerry Derr states, “Deployments find mission, duty and camaraderie. Coming home does not always mean peace, but often reveals confusion, turmoil, anger, depression and isolation. To end the pain - an estimated 22+ veterans and one active duty soldier succumb to suicide every day.”
Come join us for the evening and honor our heroes. Help us raise awareness about the issues facing our warriors: PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), veteran suicide, homelessness, multiple deployments and the effect they have on our veterans and their families.
- For more information about the gala or to donate auction items, contact Jerry Derr at (605) 545-2505 or email jerry@sergeantderrfoundation.org