Area Soldier Heroes to be Honored for Service in Iraq at Beyonce Concert

Area Soldier Heroes to be Honored for Service in Iraq at Beyonce Concert

Soldiers will receive special greeting from R&B/pop music sensation

WHAT: Five Soldiers with the California National Guard and the Fresno
Recruiting Company will be honored for their service in Iraq by
R&B female award-winning vocalist and performer, Beyonce Knowles
during her "The Beyonce Experience" concert at the Save Mart
Center in Fresno tonight. Before entertaining the more than
16,000 people who are expected to attend the concert, Beyonce
will send out a special greeting and welcome to the attending
Soldiers. Among them will be Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Ackley, who
served twice in Iraq, most recently as a platoon sergeant who led
60 Soldiers. The Soldiers are being recognized for their service
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At 25 years old, Beyonce has gone from being a member of the
successful group "Destiny's Child," to a flourishing solo artist,
fashion designer and actress. The singer, known for her high-
energy and creatively choreographed performances, has won
multiple awards for her solo albums. The first album,
"Dangerously in Love," released in 2003, earned five Grammy
Awards. Her career shows no signs of slowing down, as she
continues to perform before thousands of fans around the world.

This is the second concert on "The Beyonce Experience" tour
Beyonce will honor Soldiers. She also recognized Soldiers during
her performance on August 22 in Denver. The recognitions are part
of the Army's Operation Tribute to Freedom program, which honors
returning Soldiers for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

**Soldiers are available for interviews before and after the
concert.**

WHO: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Ackley has served twice in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, most recently with the Task Force, 1st
Battalion, 77th Armor as a Platoon Sergeant. In this role, he was
responsible for leading 60 Soldiers, and for their safe return
home. Ackley returned home in February 2005 to serve with the
Fresno Recruiting Company, and resides in Hanford, Calif.

Sgt. Monica Estrada served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
with the 49th Military Police Brigade as a computer specialist
for Soldiers and Iraqi police. Estrada returned home in September
2006 and serves with the Headquarters, Headquarters Joint Force
Headquarters of the California National Guard, and resides in
Sacramento, Calif.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 7 p.m. PDT
Recognition activities will take place at 7 p.m. Contact Nicole
Hayes at (202) 828-6321 to coordinate specific times and
locations for Soldier interviews.

WHERE: Save Mart Center, 2650 East Shaw Ave., Fresno Calif.

About Operation Tribute to Freedom

Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) recognizes and honors Soldiers returning from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through speaking and recognition events in communities across the country. For more information, visit http://www.army.mil/otf.

CONTACT: Nicole Hayes, work: +1-202-828-6321, cell: +1-785-230-2247, for Operation Tribute to Freedom.

PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Aug. 28
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Operation Tribute to Freedom

Web site:

http://www.army.mil/otf

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