BELLVILLE-AREA ARMY VETERAN TO BE HONORED AT CMA OF TEXAS AWARDS

  

A Bellville-area U.S. Army Veteran is going to be honored at the upcoming CMA of Texas Awards show.

John “Swat” Swantner will be receiving the Sgt. 2Step Foundation Award at the show that is being held on Wednesday, October 14, at Dosey Doe—The Big Barn in the Woodlands.

The award is presented by the Sgt. 2Step Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that is committed to serving Veterans, families of the Fallen, Gold Star families, survivors, and communities through programs centered around connection, healing, opportunity, and music.

Their programs bring Veterans together with families of the Fallen and survivors, provide music and therapeutic outlets, support independent artists, and create lasting relationships within communities affected by military service, and sacrifice.

Swantner was on active duty in the Army from 2004-2008, where he completed two deployments to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He told the Bellville Times about being asked to perform the “Star Spangled Banner” at a memorial service for a soldier, who passed away overseas.

The platoon sergeant told Swantner that he appreciated his courage in performing such a difficult honor.

It was then that Swantner realized this could be his way of helping others.

According to Sgt. 2 Step founder Tracy Huckstep, who is herself a Gold Star Mother, said that Swantner is the first veteran to receive the award.

She added that he is receiving the award because of giving his time, his music, and his heart to the Foundation’s programs and the people they serve.