Area Soldier Heroes to be Honored for Service in Iraq at Beyonce Concert

Area Soldier Heroes to be Honored for Service in Iraq at Beyonce Concert

     Soldiers will receive special greeting from R&B/pop music sensation    WHAT:    Five Soldiers with the California National Guard and the Fresno            Recruiting Company will be honored for their service in Iraq by            R&B female award-winning vocalist and performer, Beyonce Knowles            during her "The Beyonce Experience" concert at the Save Mart            Center in Fresno tonight. Before entertaining the more than            16,000 people who are expected to attend the concert, Beyonce            will send out a special greeting and welcome to the attending            Soldiers. Among them will be Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Ackley, who            served twice in Iraq, most recently as a platoon sergeant who led            60 Soldiers. The Soldiers are being recognized for their service            in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.             At 25 years old, Beyonce has gone from being a member of the            successful group "Destiny's Child," to a flourishing solo artist,            fashion designer and actress. The singer, known for her high-            energy and creatively choreographed performances, has won            multiple awards for her solo albums. The first album,            "Dangerously in Love," released in 2003, earned five Grammy            Awards. Her career shows no signs of slowing down, as she            continues to perform before thousands of fans around the world.             This is the second concert on "The Beyonce Experience" tour            Beyonce will honor Soldiers. She also recognized Soldiers during            her performance on August 22 in Denver. The recognitions are part            of the Army's Operation Tribute to Freedom program, which honors            returning Soldiers for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.             **Soldiers are available for interviews before and after the            concert.**    WHO:     Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Ackley has served twice in support of            Operation Iraqi Freedom, most recently with the Task Force, 1st            Battalion, 77th Armor as a Platoon Sergeant. In this role, he was            responsible for leading 60 Soldiers, and for their safe return            home. Ackley returned home in February 2005 to serve with the            Fresno Recruiting Company, and resides in Hanford, Calif.             Sgt. Monica Estrada served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom            with the 49th Military Police Brigade as a computer specialist            for Soldiers and Iraqi police. Estrada returned home in September            2006 and serves with the Headquarters, Headquarters Joint Force            Headquarters of the California National Guard, and resides in            Sacramento, Calif.    WHEN:    Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 7 p.m. PDT            Recognition activities will take place at 7 p.m. Contact Nicole            Hayes at (202) 828-6321 to coordinate specific times and            locations for Soldier interviews.    WHERE:   Save Mart Center, 2650 East Shaw Ave., Fresno Calif.     About Operation Tribute to Freedom  

Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) recognizes and honors Soldiers returning from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through speaking and recognition events in communities across the country. For more information, visit http://www.army.mil/otf.

CONTACT: Nicole Hayes, work: +1-202-828-6321, cell: +1-785-230-2247, for Operation Tribute to Freedom.

PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Aug. 28
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Source: Operation Tribute to Freedom

Web site: http://www.army.mil/otf

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Profile: International Entertainment