MARSHALL — An upcoming concert in Marshall will honor military veterans — and community groups and businesses want to help make sure area vets get a chance to see it.

Community donors have pitched in to offer free tickets for veterans to see “Letters From Home,” the next performance in the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council’s concert series, said MAFAC President Charlotte Wendel. They will also be helping to offer transportation for veterans living at assisted living facilities in Marshall.

“This is special. We want to do this so they know they are appreciated,” Wendel said.

The performance will be Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts.

“Letters From Home” is a concert that has the same style as a United Service Organizations (USO) show, Wendel said. USO tours have helped raise morale for U.S. troops since World War II.

“Letters From Home” features high-energy singing and tap dancing by founder Erinn Dearth and actor and singer Dan Beckmann. Organizers said the music will honor artists ranging from Frank Sinatra and the Andrews Sisters to Creedence Clearwater Revival and more.

“It’s a salute to our veterans,” Wendel said. The “Letters From Home” performers have taken their show around the country and overseas. They even performed at the 75th anniversary remembrance of D-Day in Normandy, France, she said.

MAFAC and supporters from the Marshall area wanted to make “Letters From Home” accessible to area veterans. Wendel said MAFAC reached out to local veterans groups, as well as Lyon County Veterans Services Officer Heidi Fier. Support from local businesses would also help make it possible for veterans to see the concert, she said.

Wendel said there will be special seating at the concert for veterans and their families. First Independent Bank and Horvath Funeral Service were also contributing to make free tickets available for veterans. Wendel said vets would need to show proof of military service, like ID or discharge papers, to claim a free ticket.

Southwest Tour and Travel also offered to provide transportation to veterans at assisted living facilities in Marshall, she said.

“It’s amazing,” Wendel said of the community support for veterans. “I can’t believe all these people are going to chip in to get veterans free tickets.”

“I think this is going to be very uplifting,” Wendel said of the concert.

“Letters From Home” will be at 3 p.m. on Feb. 23, at the Schwan Community Center for Performing Arts at Marshall High School. Wendel said regular admission tickets are currently on sale at the MAFAC office and at the Marshall Hy-Vee.