{"id":110969,"date":"2026-08-30T19:08:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T23:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=110969"},"modified":"2026-09-20T19:12:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T23:12:23","slug":"veterans-honored-at-tioga-downs-during-jefferson-starship-concert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2026\/08\/30\/veterans-honored-at-tioga-downs-during-jefferson-starship-concert\/","title":{"rendered":"Veterans honored at Tioga Downs during Jefferson Starship Concert"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JoAnn R. Walter<\/span><\/p>\n

Writer<\/span><\/p>\n

NICHOLS \u2014 Veterans and guests were treated to an extraordinary concert on Thursday evening at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. One of the most successful bands of the classic rock era, Jefferson Starship, performed a selection of their popular hits going back to the \u201870s to a seated and standing crowd that completely filled the venue, and took to the stage just before a captivating sunset.<\/span><\/p>\n

All ticket sales are to benefit the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group (STVSG), and Tioga Downs owner, Jeff Gural and his wife Paula, will again match ticket sales as they have since 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jefferson Starship, one of the most successful bands of the classic rock era, performed at the annual veterans concert at Tioga Downs on Aug. 20.
Photo\/JoAnn R. Walter<\/p><\/div>\n

The STVSG is celebrating 15 years of service this year, and today works with more than seventy affiliated organizations to provide a network of resources, a broad range of services and financial assistance to veterans, service members and their families, and often under life-changing circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Director of Marketing at Tioga Downs, Jim Weed, opened the concert with remarks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here this evening to honor our veterans. Let\u2019s hear it for our vets and the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group,\u201d Weed said. He then asked attendees to stand for the National Anthem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weed introduced Anthony Pedro, President of the STVSG, and Pedro shared, \u201cOur organization serves 55,000 veterans across fourteen counties in the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Tier of Pennsylvania,\u201d and added, \u201cAbout 120,000-140,000 veterans and their families receive direct assistance each year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

From left, Tioga Downs Marketing Director, Jim Weed, Tioga Downs owner, Jeff Gural, and President of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group (STVSG), Anthony Pedro, gather on stage to speak to the audience prior to the Jefferson Starship concert on Aug. 20. Jeff Gural and his wife, Paula, matched ticket sales for the event, and proceeds benefit the STVSG.
Photo\/JoAnn R. Walter<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Tioga Downs owner, Jeff Gural, speaks to the audience attending the Aug. 20 annual veterans concert.
Photo\/JoAnn R. Walter<\/p><\/div>\n

Weed then introduced Jeff Gural, and Gural remarked, \u201cThis is my way of paying back to all of the veterans. I love seeing the big crowd here tonight, and it\u2019s really a thrill to be here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jefferson Starship opened the concert with the song, \u201cFind Your Way Back,\u201d and performed several other of their iconic hits including, \u201cJane,\u201d \u201cMiracles,\u201d \u201cCount on Me,\u201d \u201cSara,\u201d and \u201cWe Built this City,\u201d among others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tioga Downs concert-goers were also treated to one of rock history\u2019s most indelible songs, \u201cWhite Rabbit,\u201d originally released by Jefferson Airplane. Jefferson Starship also performed their new song ahead of its release on Aug. 21 called \u201cJet Pack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe love our vets and service members, and dedicate this show to them, and thank their family members as well,\u201d said lead singer and guitarist Cathy Richardson, who joined the band in 2008. <\/span><\/p>\n

The band also features drummer Donny Baldwin (and whose Jefferson Starship roots go back to 1982), keyboardist Chris Smith (who joined in 1998), guitarist Jude Gold (who joined in 2012), and co-founder and singer\/guitarist, David Freiberg. Freiberg reunited with the group in 2005<\/span><\/p>\n

and is a co-writer of the song, \u201cJane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Richardson shared a couple of personal tidbits about the band members, such as drummer Donny Baldwin\u2019s first performance on a hit song when he was only 19, and that being Elvin Bishop\u2019s \u201cFooled Around and Fell in Love\u201d released in 1975. A fun interjection to their set list, the band performed a couple of verses from that song.<\/span><\/p>\n

Richardson then shared a story about Freiberg\u2019s transition from Airplane to Starship, and said Freiberg hung out with some of rock music\u2019s most endearing rock legends back-in-the-day like Janis Joplin and David Crosby. Richardson wished him a happy birthday which was on Aug. 24, as Freiberg turned 88.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the show, the band took a well-deserved bow amongst a standing ovation, and then returned to the stage to perform a rendition of \u201cGod Bless America\u201d in honor of veterans in attendance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The band closed the concert with Jefferson Airplane\u2019s 1969 timeless hit and high-energy anthem of the Vietnam War period, \u201cVolunteers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to the show, veterans were also welcomed to visit with representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and who had an information table set up near the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Southern Tier Veterans Support Group is available at any time to assist veterans, and welcomes veterans to call them at (607) 205-8332. You can also visit their web page, https:\/\/www.stvsg.org.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By JoAnn R. Walter Writer NICHOLS \u2014 Veterans and guests were treated to an extraordinary concert on Thursday evening at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. 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