Wounded Warriors' Free Concert Features Nashville Performer and Former Marine

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 50 Wounded Warriors from the Walter Reed Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital are expected to attend a free concert Saturday, Dec. 11, featuring Nashville recording star, Stephen Cochran, a former Marine who was wounded in Afghanistan.

The concert, which will be held at the Sheet Metal Union Hall (Penn's Landing Caterers) at 1301 South Columbus Blvd (at Washington Avenue), is being sponsored by the Navy League -Philadelphia Council as part of its "Liberty Welcomes" activities.  The free concert, which also features the local band, Stolen Rhodes, is open to all veterans, active military and the general public.  Annapolis midshipmen and West Point cadets are also expected.  Event begins at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.     

"Showing our support for America's wounded warriors has been our principal focus during this great sports classic," noted Fran O'Brien, president of the Philadelphia Council.  "We're delighted that we could add the free concert, 'Liberty Rocks,' this year to our Liberty Welcomes program."  The Council also hosts about 200 wounded soldiers, sailors, Marines and Air Force personnel for the Army/Navy game.

Cochran joined the Marine Corps in 2001 and served both in Iraq and Afghanistan eventually becoming a sergeant with the 2^nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and receiving two Purple Hearts.  While on a combat patrol, Cochran received injuries that left his legs paralyzed. After extensive therapy he recovered and turned his attention to country music.

The performer was a spokesman for the U.S. Veterans Administration and was named in 2010 as a spokesman for "The Buy Veteran Movement."  He also has also has performed with the Armed Forces Entertainment Tours since 2007.

Wounded Warriors and other veterans will be available for interviews at the concert.   Sponsors of the event include ATT, Lockheed Martin, Merck, PECO Energy, Exelon, Philadelphia Eagles, NovaCare Rehabilitation, ClearChannel Outdoor and the Pilots' Association of the Bay and River Delaware. For more information visit  www.libertywelcomes.com.

SOURCE The Philadelphia Council of the Navy League