Although their long locks were far from military muster, members of the iconic rock act KISS were warmly welcomed at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center on Wednesday.
The band, best known for its overtly theatrical hard rock shows, invited veterans and service members from the Augusta-based Wounded Warrior Projects CSRA program to its Atlanta concert Monday night, and followed up the show with a VA visit Wednesday before jetting to an evening gig in Nashville.
Guitarist Tommy Thayer, drummer Eric Singer and lead singer/guitarist Paul Stanley made the trip. Bass player Gene Simmons was unable to attend. Mr. Stanley, a founding member of the nearly 40-year-old act, was clearly touched by the opportunity to share time with the hospital's staff and patients.
"We're honored to be here with you people," he said, addressing the large crowd assembled in the rehabilitation room. "We're here for you. God bless you all."
Mr. Stanley said it is important to KISS that the service men and women who are injured in the line of duty receive the respect and attention they deserve.
"People talk about the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "But isn't it a sacrifice to come back home and discover you no longer have your life? We want everyone home safely and to urge everyone to give these people the respect they deserve."
Stephen Ogles attended the event with his face painted with Gene Simmons' distinctive design. Mr. Stanley joked that he could be in the band, but he's a little too young. Mr. Ogles said staff at the VA helped him prepare to meet KISS.
"I've been a fan of the boys for a lot of years," he said quietly from his wheelchair. "I like that they came down."
Leonel Orozco left sporting a Paul Stanley-signed eye patch.
"I really wasn't a fan at all," he said with a laugh. "I think I knew one song. But that concert made a fan out of me. They treat their fans really well and they are, I think, our biggest fans."
The band later took a tour of hospital units, including its innovative kayak rehab center. Mr. Stanley said he hopes their visit might draw attention to the center.
"You have this amazing facility here and it's almost a secret," he said. "It shouldn't be a secret. It should be a model, the template for facilities like this."
Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.
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Thank you KISS for supporting our veterans.
KISS is awesome!!
Blessings upon Paul and the rest of the guys of KISS.
Been a Kiss fan for along time......they are more than just a band.
If I had known in time, I would have gone to my husband's appointment!
Fantastic!
With all the concern about the veterans, active duty soldiers, and their families, why are we not demanding an end to the insanity in Afghanistan and all the rest of the disasters in Central Asia? Why not humanitarian aid and nation building instead of arming warlords and dropping bombs on civilians from remotely-guided drones? We are creating more enemies every time the wrong target gets hit. Which is often.
My Mom was not too happy when the first album I purchased was Kiss Destoyer many years ago. Well she's a fan now. Thank you KISS and thanks to all US Soldiers!
The military is number one
Thanks, Kiss. We appreciate the thoughts and support. Jedex, as soon as you can figure out how to keep the bad guys from beheading humanitarian aid workers and taking the aid meant for those without guns, please fill us in. So that you know, after the surge, its a little easier to get aid to the folks here in Baghdad. Still a bit of a chore, but soon the Iraqis will be able to make their own mistakes. Hopefully they do something good with the opportunity we've given them. Utopian dreams are good for giving us hope, but hope is not a valid course of action.