The nonprofit organization Blue Star Families hosted its seventh annual Neighbor Celebration at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. CNN news anchor Brooke Baldwin (right) emceed the event and first lady Rosalynn Carter graciously accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award for her support of military families; it was presented by Ellyn Dunford and Blue Star Familes' Kathy Roth-Douquet.
The event honored the extraordinary Americans who further BSF's mission to support military families, with extra importance placed on bridging the gap between military families and civilian communities. Blue Star Neighbors nominees included Ellyn Dunford, U.S. Army Capt. Chase Burnett with his wife, Ashley, Judy Osborne, Ken Osborne, Kathy Roth-Douquet and Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey.
A select group of celebrated chefs were paired with active military chefs from each branch of the armed services to join forces in the kitchen and cater the evening. Here, Bayou Bakery chef David Guas, BSF's Penny Bolden and Marcel's chef Robert Wiedmaier.
Aside from the creative tastes designed by the military chefs — our favorites included everything from the Diver Scallop Ceviche with house-made ponzu to truffled polenta frites — guests were also treated to a special performance of the National Anthem by the organization's junior volunteers, the Cammo Kids.
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