Air Force Reserve Presents Tim McGraw's "TOUR FOR THE TROOPS" Hosted by Camp Pendleton, TriWest and the Tug McGraw Foundation

NAPA, Calif. and CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tim McGraw's TOUR FOR THE TROOPS concert, courtesy of the Air Force Reserve, will celebrate and honor our servicemen and women with a free concert for members of the military and their families at 6:00 pm PST on Sunday, November 13 at Camp Pendleton. The concert by the GRAMMY® Award-winning musician will headline events including a Family Fun Day beginning at 12:00 pm PST.

"I am proud to perform for the troops and to celebrate our heroes, bringing attention to the need to improve quality of life among men and women who serve our country," said Tim McGraw, honorary chairman of the Tug McGraw Foundation and the son of legendary baseball pitcher, Tug McGraw, who died from a brain tumor in 2003.

The Tug McGraw Foundation is working in partnership with Air Force Reserve, TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Marine Corps Community Services to educate members of the military and civilians about the increasing number of servicemen and women affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the resources available to them. These groups, representing military and civilian interests, are all lending support to enhance awareness of resources such as Marine Corps' DSTRESS Line, a pilot program for active duty, reserve, veterans and retirees, as well as their families, in the western U.S., Hawaii, and Alaska. Callers to the line will speak with veteran Marines, former corpsmen, and licensed behavioral health counselors who have been specifically trained in Marine Corps culture and ethos. If successful, this pilot will be rolled out Marine Corps-wide in 2011.

Approximately 300,000 service members are currently being treated for PTSD, according to a 2008 RAND Survey entitled, "One in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from PTSD or major depression." However, from 2001 to 2007, more than 1.8 million service members were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. Of those men and women, approximately 38% percent of all active duty service members and 49% of the National Guard have reported psychological symptoms, according to the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health report, "An Achievable Vision: Report of the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health."

"No single agency or organization has the manpower or resources to provide a lifetime of care and support to our military families, but by collaborating with committed partners we can ensure a network of care that these dedicated heroes have earned and deserve. We at TriWest are honored to support this great initiative by Tim McGraw to provide encouragement to Marine families and attention to the great resources we are all providing to support them every day," said David J. McIntyre, Jr., President and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

"It is such an honor for the Air Force Reserve to bring this concert to Camp Pendleton to entertain so many of our servicemen and women and their families who have sacrificed so much for our country," said Chief Master Sergeant Glen Barnes, Air Force Reserve.

Additional Activities

A family fun day will start at 12:00 pm PST on November 13. Families will be able to enjoy local bands, concessions, merchandise and a children's play area. Families are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the concert at 6:00 pm PST.

Ticket Information

Tickets to the concert will be free for military and DOD ID card holders and their dependents. Civilians can purchase $55 general admission tickets beginning October 14 at www.timmcgrawpublic.tickets.musictoday.com. Tim McGraw Fan Club members will have the opportunity to purchase presale tickets at 10:00 am on October 13 at www.mcgrawfan.com or by calling 800-594-TIXX.  

For more information, please contact mcgrawtourforthetroops.com.

About the Tug McGraw Foundation

The focus of the Tug McGraw Foundation is to provide support and resources for people affected by brain tumors and brain-related trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Our efforts focus on advancing science to improve quality of life for people affected by brain cancer and brain trauma and promoting awareness of the importance of brain health.

About TriWest Healthcare Alliance

TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the healthcare needs of 2.9 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit www.triwest.com for more information.

About U.S. Air Force Reserve

President Harry Truman called for the formation of the Air Force Reserve in 1948, just a year after the United States Air Force was formed. Originally, the Reserve was conceived as a "stand by" force for emergencies. But in February 1997, the Air Force Reserve changed from a Field Operating Agency to a Major Command (MAJCOM). Since then, the 71,500-member force has evolved into the Air Force's Wingman, performing the same missions and working side-by-side on the same equipment.

The Air Force Reserve is an exciting, vibrant part of the nation's defense. It offers similar benefits afforded to those on active duty, with one major addition: the benefit of time. Time to be with your family, time to work at your civilian career, and time to serve your country. An ideal option for those who have never been in the military and want to participate without being on full-time active duty, the Reserve is also a great way for those in other branches of the military to continue their benefits. Those include educational and retirement programs; starting their civilian careers with the stability of a second paycheck; and continuing the camaraderie and adventure only available through the service. http://www.AFReserve.com

http://www.Facebook/USAirForceReserve

About Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Community Relations

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the Corps' largest West Coast expeditionary training facility, encompasses more than 125,000 acres of Southern California terrain. Camp Pendleton has been the largest Military Instillation North San Diego County for more than 60 years. Camp Pendleton is one of the Department of Defense's busiest installations and offers a broad spectrum of training facilities for many active and reserve Marine, Army and Navy units, as well as national, state and local agencies. The Base is home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group and many tenant units, including Marine Corps Installation-West, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Wounded Warriors Battalion-West, Marine Corps Air Station at Munn Field, Marine Aircraft Group 39, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego's Weapons & Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps and Army Reserve Forces, the Navy's Assault Craft Unit 5, a Naval Hospital and 1st Dental Battalion. More than 38,000 military family members occupy base housing complexes. However, with a daytime population of 70,000 military and civilian personnel, the Marines, Sailors and their families rely on the surrounding communities for retail goods and services not available on Base.

About Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Community Relations

The mission of the Community Relations Office is to foster a positive and proactive military and civilian relationship between Camp Pendleton and local and national communities. The Community Relations Office strives to boost the public's awareness of the unique elements and contributions of the Marine Corps through direct interaction with Marines, sailors and their families. More information is available at www.marines.mil/unit/basecamppendleton/Pages/PublicAffairs/CommunityRelations.aspx

About Marine Corps Community Services

Marine Corps Community Services was established in 1999 and remains the only organization within the Department of Defense that combines Family Services; Off-Duty Voluntary Education; Counseling Services; Children, Youth and Teen Programs; Morale, Welfare and Recreation; and Marine Corps Exchanges under a single organizational construct. MCCS is the single point of contact and service provider for over 80 programs and services available in garrison, deployed, or independent duty environments.

Since its inception, Marine Corps Community Services has been supported by two iterations of strategic planning aimed at integrating and appropriately aligning these vital support services to meet the current and future needs of the unit, individual Marine, and broader Marine Corps family.

About Tour for the Troops 

Tour for the Troops is an initiative by the Air Force Reserve that has brought top entertainers to all branches of the Military both domestically as well as overseas.  The initiative raises awareness of the Air Force Reserve while raising the morale of the brave men and women who defend and serve our Nation.  Entertainers who have taken part in the Air Force Reserve Tour for the Troops include Kid Rock, Styx, Ludacris, Blake Shelton, Jay Leno, and Martin Lawrence to name just a few.  Tour for the Troops shows are free to DOD ID cardholders and their dependents.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Military escorts will be provided to media. Advance registration and press credentials are required. For more information contact Mike Beyer at 312-961-2502 or [email protected].

Contacts:  
Sabrina Segal Granati for Air Force Reserve
Blaine Warren Advertising
(702) 435-6947
[email protected]

Mike Beyer for the Tug McGraw Foundation
Ritz Communications
312-961-2502
[email protected]

Erin Cooney for Tim McGraw
Red Light Management
310-273-2266
[email protected]

Capt. Paul Duncan for Camp Pendleton  
United States Marine Corps
760-725-5044 or 760-214-5513          
[email protected]

SOURCE Tug McGraw Foundation