A Night With Operation Song Retreat/Fundraiser

Back row, left to right: Mike Byer and Rob Crosby. Front row, left to right: AJ Kross and Matt McKinney.

Operation Song® held its 2nd annual Green Bay Retreat Oct. 5 - 6, 2023 — Razor 94.7 | 104.7 Presents A Night with Operation Song — at the Lodge Kohler Hotel, and Epic Event Center.

The Retreat was held the first day, where we paired three local veterans — Dan Decker (Marine Corps Veteran), Leo Lesch (US Army Veteran) and Mark Bonevetz (US Army Veteran) — with three of our amazing Nashville songwriters — Rob Crosby, Matt McKinney and AJ Kross. The Veterans came prepared to share their story, making the songwriters’ job’s easy, allowing us to wrap the day around 2:30pm.

The following day’s performance was, as our very own Andy Sale described it, “Magical.” There were more than 350 Wisconsin residents in attendance, including several local politicians. Our Emcee for the evening was Cutter, from Razor 94.7 | 104.7 Green Bay. The evening began with our standard retreat performance of the veterans songs — “The Ones We Leave Behind” (by Dan & Rob), “How Do I Get There” (by Leo & Matt) and “Welcome Home” (by Mark & AJ) — followed by our Nashville Songwriter Round, which included Hall of Fame songwriter, Bob Dipiero. Performances were capped off by legendary rocker and Operation Song® supporter, Scott Stapp, of Creed.

Stapp played several familiar Creed songs, and ended the evening with his song “Worthy” which he wrote in Operation Song® in 2022 with retired Green Beret and Congressman Mike Waltz. We ended the night with a very successful auction that will greatly assist us in our mission.

A special thanks to our event sponsors Prevea and RODAC, as well as to our local Green Bay coordinator Jenny Gille for all her hard work in pulling of a successful event. In attendance for Operation Song® were Bob and Erika Leonard, Andy and Amy Sale, Patricia Espinosa, Chase Armstrong, Tiffany Shipp, and Mike Byer.