Guns for Great Causes

Local heroes honored by Henry Repeating Arms during 2016 National NRA Foundation Banquet in Louisville, KY. L to R: Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms, with Honorees Bill Wester, Dylan Dorris, Scott Perkins, Jack Thompson, M.J. Vowell, Debbie Green, Charles Green and Cheryl Benitaz Metcalf.

Henry Repeating Arms presented tribute rifles to eight deserving individuals who serve the state and country last night at The National NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction at the Kentucky International Convention Center as part of The NRA 2016 Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

As a sponsor of the event, Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms, recognized local heroes who’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty by inviting them to the stage to thank them for their service. Each honoree was presented with an American-made Henry rifle.

Imperato was introduced to the crowd by John DaSilva, Director, Industry Partnerships of the NRA. DaSilva thanked him for his donation of 1,100 Henry Frontier Rifles to be used at Friends of NRA events across the country, and for his two decades of support. “His commitment to supporting the NRA Foundation is unwavering and his contributions have generated millions of dollars for our future generations to enjoy the shooting sports through the NRA’s education, safety and training.

His creativity and generosity ranks him among the best in the industry,” DaSilva told the crowd.
DaSilva also announced Henry’s donation of one thousand special edition Golden Boy Rifles to be used at the first NRA record-setting Henry 1000 Man Shoot.  This fundraising event will line up 1000 folks who will shoot the donated rifles at the Ben Avery Shooting Range in Phoenix, Arizona on November 14th, 2016.

Bill Wester and Anthony Imperato

Visibly touched, Imperato started by recognizing three members of the Kentucky Friends of NRA chapters and thanking them for their fundraising efforts to promote local youth shooting sports. Cheryl Benitez of Elizabethtown, KY and Charles Green of Frankfort KY, both Veterans, were presented with Henry Military Service Tribute edition rifles. Debbie Green, also of Frankfort KY, was presented with a Henry American Beauty rifle.

He went on to proclaim 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 MJ Vowell of Ekron, KY was brought to the stage and presented with a Henry American Beauty rifle.

The importance of protecting our nation’s Second Amendment was highlighted by the telling of three men’s stories. Jack Thompson of Benton, KY was presented with a Henry Golden Boy rifle for saving himself and his wife when he used his personal firearms to stop a home invader. In a case of a citizen helping out law enforcement, retired Marine veteran Scott Perkins, a Purple Heart recipient from Bastrop, TX was awarded a Henry Military Service Tribute Edition rifle for his heroic act of using his concealed handgun to halt a criminal who was apprehended soon after by Deputy Dylan Dorris of Giddings, TX. Deputy Dorris was presented with a Henry Law Enforcement Tribute Edition rifle for his service.

The final recognition went to 100-year old WWII Veteran Bill Wester of Louisville, KY with Imperato presenting him with a Henry Military Service Tribute Rifle. “This man is one of the last of America’s greatest generation and we owe our freedom to him today,” Imperato said, voice cracking. “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 2,200 people rose to applaud the honorees.