Memorial concert to benefit Lt. Col. Eric Kruger’s family

by PegNews wire

A memorial concert will be held to benefit the children of Garland's own Lt. Col. Eric Kruger who was killed in Iraq, November 2, 2006. A graduate of North Garland High School, and Southern Methodist University, Lt. Col. Kruger was on his third tour of duty in the Middle East when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle on only his second day in Baghdad. The concert will be held January 12 at 8:30 p.m., on what would have been Lt. Col. Kruger's 41st birthday, at Opening Bell Coffee (formerly Standard and Pours Coffee). In lieu of a cover charge, donations to a memorial fund for Lt. Col. Kruger's children will be accepted.

Lt. Col. Kruger received his commission in 1988 and joined active duty service in 1989 upon graduation. During his 20 years of military service, he received numerous awards, and served in Korea, Bahrain, Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq. His memorial concert will include musical performances by his sister, local Dallas songstress, Kristy Kruger, and Country Music Award and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Jon Randall.

Ms. Kruger came up with the idea to host a memorial concert at her brother's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was laid to rest with his fellow soldiers. "I wanted to give his friends from high school and college some closure, seeing as many of them were unable to attend the service in Virginia," says Ms. Kruger. "January 12th is going to be a hard day for us all, and I wanted to give my family something to do on his birthday."

A staple in the local acoustic scene, Ms. Kruger has released four albums independently and was awarded the 2006 Dallas Observer Music Award for Best Female Vocalist. Her latest release won the Independent Music Award for Americana Album of the Year and the Dallas Morning News named it one of the top 10 local releases of 2006. Ms.Kruger says her brother's passion for the military was an inspiration to her musically. "He loved the military the way I loved music. When I think of what he'd want us to do on his birthday," she says, "I know he'd love for me to be playing."

Source: JKendel.com