- December 26, 2024
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Vietnam Veterans stood up as they were recognized by musician Craig Morgan. Photo by Michele Meyers
Heroes Honor Festival visionary and founder of Engage Your Destiny, Ben Peterson . Photo by Michele Meyers
The Patriot jump team brought service dog Sasha in for Cooper, a German Shepherd who served in combat. Photo by Michele Meyers
Heroes Honor Festival revelers enjoyed the country music lineup. Photo by Michele Meyers
Heroes Honor Festival revelers enjoyed Craig Morgan's performance. Photo by Michele Meyers
Vietnam veterans had a special area to watch the speakers and performers at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Heroes Honor Festival revelers danced to the music of Craig Morgan. Photo by Michele Meyers
Country music artist Craig Morgan took part in Country for a Cause at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Army veteran and country music artist, Craig Morgan, sang an array of patriotic songs at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Craig Morgan fans took photos and videos of the musician at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Craig Morgan's guitarists jammed on stage at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Megan Schaffer modeled her hat that was signed by musician Craig Morgan at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Marine Veteran, Lt. Col. Oliver North, told stories and showed photographs of his time in Vietnam. Photo by Michele Meyers
A Seabees Veteran held his prosthetic up for Lt. Col. Oliver North to see. Photo by Michele Meyers
Vietnam pilot Fabian Basabe (second from right) was surprised by his son (left) at the Heroes Honor Festival who drove four-and-a-half hours to see him. Photo by Michele Meyers
Multi-platinum country music artist Justin Moore. Photo by Michele Meyers
Navy Veteran Jim Drake with a fellow veteran during the Justin Moore performance. Photo by Michele Meyers
Multi-platinum country music artist Justin Moore threw his guitar pics into the audience. Photo by Michele Meyers
Big Kansas was serious about not treading on Florida. Photo by Michele Meyers
Desantis has supporters in all age groups. Photo by Michele Meyers
Trump flags were displayed as Governor Ron Desantis took the stage. Photo by Michele Meyers
Governor Ron Desantis threw the crowd hats as he took the stage at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Governor Ron Desantis waved farewell as the crowd chanted "U.S.A" at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Vietnam Veterans and their families stood as Governor Ron Desantis gave his speech at the Heroes Honor Festival. Photo by Michele Meyers
Heroes Honor Festival visionary Ben Peterson ran onto the stage and spoke to the Veterans. Photo by Michele Meyers
Veterans cheered during Ben Peterson's speech. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Heroes Honor Festival was a time for friends and family to reunite. Photo by Michele Meyers
Navy veteran Jim Drake is one of the directors for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Daytona Beach Chapter 1048. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Heroes Honor Festival paid tribute to Vietnam Veterans and gave them an opportunity reunite with friends and family. Photo by Michele Meyers
Air Force Veteran David "Popa D" Dattoli inspected the POW/MIA table and lit the candle which symbolizes the love that we have for the families of those that are missing. Photo by Michele Meyers
Sgt. David "Popa D" Dattoli brought everyone to attention and presented arms. Photo by Michele Meyers
The crowd relaxed as they listened to country music star Toby Keith. Photo by Michele Meyers
Big Kansas held Emma Ackerman up with a sign requesting to sing a duet with Toby Keith as Jewelissa Littlejohn, Ella Higgins and Lincoln Higgins posed for a photo-op. Photo by Michele Meyers
Army Veteran Ben Peterson is the visionary of the Heroes Honor Festival and founder of Engage Your Destiny. Photo by Michele Meyers
The inaugural Heroes Honor Festival was held over Memorial Day weekend at the Daytona International Speedway to pay tribute to Vietnam Veterans. Photo by Michele Meyers
The skies were abuzz with the sound of A10 Warthogs on Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend, at the Daytona International Speedway. Cheering built to a crescendo as the flyover disappeared on the horizon. Over 27,000 people were in attendance at the inaugural Heroes Honor Festival where Vietnam veterans could celebrate and be recognized for their service.
The event was the brainchild of U.S. Army veteran Ben Peterson, who brought it to fruition through his nonprofit organization, Engage Your Destiny. Mentorship, healing and addressing military trauma are key areas the outreach association focuses on for veterans, active military and their families.
“I grew up in a military family where the greatest thing you could do with your life is serve in combat,” he said. “My dad helped tell stories of veterans that had gone through horrific things and found peace and healing through telling their stories.”
When the planes hit the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001, that was a pivotal moment for Peterson who decided at the age of 13 that he was going to join the military. One month after he turned 17, his parents signed his papers, and he joined the Army.
In 2009, Peterson arrived on American soil following a one-year tour in Iraq. He was 22 years old and had recently lost seven comrades in combat. As he stepped off the bus that had driven the soldiers to their families, he noticed a squad of 100 Vietnam veterans standing shoulder-to-shoulder, guarding their return home.
“We have been so thankful for Daytona. They’ve just been phenomenal. The local Vietnam veterans chapter sat on the advisory board and sponsored us. Bob Adkins (Chapter president) is a good man. I love that guy.”
BEN PETERSON, founder of Engage Your Destiny and Heroes Honor Festival
“Back when I was 22, I passed through them, and it was time for beers and cheeseburgers and cars,” he said. “I think a lot of veterans forget (their homecoming). You’re thinking about a million things —you’re scared about coming home and how to reintegrate into society, dealing with PTSD, processing combat, excited about whatever food you’re going to eat. You’re not thinking about these veterans that are showing up to love on you.”
Peterson never forgot. As he learned more about how the Vietnam veterans were treated disparagingly when they returned home from war, he made it his objective to give these soldiers the “biggest, baddest, most patriotic welcome home in history.”
Florida is home to over 500,000 Vietnam veterans, so the decision to have the festival here made sense. Finding a location that could accommodate a large group of people made the Speedway an ideal choice. A cold call to the Speedway revealed that most everyone there had a connection to a Vietnam veteran, which opened the door to a positive response.
Peterson was overwhelmed by the support he received from the local community. Bob Adkins, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Daytona Beach Chapter 1048, has been a friend to Peterson and a champion of the festival.
“We have been so thankful for Daytona,” Peterson said. “They’ve just been phenomenal. The local Vietnam veterans chapter sat on the advisory board and sponsored us. Bob Adkins is a good man. I love that guy.”
