Henry Repeating Arms Honors Veterans, 1st Responders and NRA Instructors at the NRA 2015 Annual Meetings & Exhibits

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Apr 10, 2015, 12:32 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Repeating Arms presented tribute rifles to nineteen deserving individuals who serve the state and country last night at The National NRA Foundation at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN as part of The NRA 2015 Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms, thanking Edgar Harrell, a U.S. Marine Corp. Veteran and survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis for his service to our country. Imperato presented Henry Tribute Rifles to local heroes including to U.S. Veterans, Active Duty Military Personnel, First Responders and an NRA Instructor at The NRA Foundation Banquet & Auction at The National NRA Foundation at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN as part of The NRA 2015 Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

As a sponsor of the event, Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms, chose to recognize local heroes of the community who've proven to go above and beyond the call of duty by inviting them to the stage to thank them for their service. Each honoree was presented with a rifle from Henry's line of commemorative tribute rifles.

Imperato started by proclaiming NRA Instructors the unsung heroes of the firearms industry. "They take their personal time and spend their own money to promote firearm safety and teach youth shooting sports so our traditions can continue," he explained. Instructor Leroy Farris of Rockvale was brought to the stage and presented with a Henry Silver Eagle rifle.

"Thank You for saving lives every day," Imperato said as he presented first responders to thank them for their service. Amy Moore, a flight nurse of Ethridge received an EMS Tribute Rifle; Joshua Smith, a firefighter Engineer of Franklin received a Firefighter Tribute Rifle; and Officer Katy Davis of Knoxville received a Law Enforcement Tribute Rifle.

The final presentation recognized those who fought and risked their lives for our freedoms by serving or currently serving in the Armed Forces. Four Active Duty and eleven Veterans received a Henry Military Service Tribute Rifle. "These men and women along with their families sacrificed to protect this great country of ours, and we owe our freedom to them today," Imperato said, choking back tears. "Thank You for your service to our country, God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America," he continued as the crowd of 2000 people rose to applaud the honorees.

Active Duty Recipients were Staff Sergeant Brenda Curry of Clarksville who serves in the U.S. Army and has been deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan; Major Brandy Johnson of Nashville who serves in the U.S. Air Force as a Senior Pilot and participated in multiple freedom operations; Master Sergeant Heather Yates of Estill Springs who serves in the U.S. Air Force and has been deployed to ten countries; and Danielle Panting of Nashville who serves in the U.S. Navy and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait.

Veteran recipients included Edgar Harrell of Clarksville who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is one of only 317 to survive the sinking of The Indianapolis in WW2; David Gray of Springfield who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq where he saved the lives of several of his men when he shielded them from an improvised explosive device and was later wounded during a rocket attack; Jimmy Gentry of Franklin who served as Staff Sargent in the U.S. Army and fought overseas in WW2; Linc Van Sickel of Somerset, PA who served in the U.S. Army in Korea; J.T. Tenpenny of Nashville who spent 28 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during Vietnam; Jack Spangler of Goodlettsville who served as a Buck Sergeant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam; Ray Harvey of Nashville who served as a Captain in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam; Charles York of Kingsport who served in the U.S. Air Force in the Gulf War; Dana Nicholson of Clarksville who served as a Captain and Nurse in the U.S. Army in Iraq; Bill Slocum of Lebanon who served as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan and Lt. Colonel Chuck Haley of Adams who served in the U.S. Air Force and flew missions over Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and the Persian Gulf.

For more information about the company and its products visit henryrifles.com or call 866-200-2354.

About Henry Repeating Arms
Henry Repeating Arms is one of the country's leading rifle manufacturers. Their legendary name dates back to 1860 when Benjamin Tyler Henry invented and patented the first practical repeating rifle during the Civil War. It became known as the "gun you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long." Henry rifles went on to play a significant role in the frontier days of the American West and soon became one of the most legendary, respected and sought after rifles in the history of firearms. President Lincoln's Henry hangs in The Smithsonian and has become a national treasure. The company's manufacturing facilities are in Bayonne, NJ and Rice Lake, WI.

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SOURCE Henry Repeating Arms