The American Red Cross of Northwest Florida announces Medal of Honor recipient retired Col. George “Bud” Day and his wife, Doris, are honorary co-chairs of Red Cross Bash 2005, formerly called M*A*S*H Bash. Colonel and Mrs. Day of Fort Walton Beach will join the revelry slated for 6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, April 30, at the Heliworks hangar at Pensacola Regional Airport.
Civilian attorney Bud Day - a veteran of more than 35 years of military service who has received every significant combat decoration available from the U.S. Air Force - will autograph copies of his book, “Duty, Honor, Country,” during the festivities. All proceeds from the book will benefit local Red Cross efforts in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Civilians, active military and veterans are invited to join Red Cross Bash 2005’s exploits for an evening of live music, dancing, dining, games and a live auction at the mobile Army surgical hospital replica.
Parisian will provide parking at its Cordova Mall lot, where guests can take a shuttle to and from the Red Cross Bash compound.
The Reunion Band will keep the evening romping with its rambunctious style, and Collier Merrill will return as emcee of the live auction. A massage chair from Sharper Image, a trip to Branson, Mo., a Night on the Town with two Sarah McLachlan concert tickets and dinner at R Place, and a Sandestin Beach Hilton package are just some of the items up for bid.
Soiree Catering & Events will dish up fine rations in the Mess Tent and guests can belly up to two cash bars - one offering martinis and the other selling beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic choices.
Get into the spirit by wearing medic scrubs, war-era fatigues, aloha shirts, liberty rags or dressing like your favorite USO entertainer - Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Eden, Nancy Sinatra, Robin Williams, Bruce Willis, etc.
The PX will offer plenty of Red Cross Bash 2005 memorabilia - Bash T-shirts and posters, Red Cross wristlets, American Red Cross first-aid kits and signed copies of “Duty, Honor, Country.”
Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased at the door or prior to the event. To beat the crowd, get tickets and Bash merchandise at the Red Cross Bash 2005 kiosk at Cordova Mall 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, April 16 and 23, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, April 17 and 24.
“This event celebrates the historic partnership between the American Red Cross and the military through the war eras,” says Diane Hawkins, American Red Cross of Northwest Florida public support senior director. “The proceeds from this event will help provide vital Red Cross programs and services in Northwest Florida.”
For more information about Red Cross Bash 2005 or the American Red
Cross, call Hawkins at 850-432-7601.
