War hero, musician to give benefit concert in Benton Harbor

Published 12:00 pm Monday, August 13, 2012

John Steer, a Vietnam War hero and a recording artist with more than 20 albums of country, patriotic and gospel music, will appear at a benefit concert at the Benton Harbor VFW Lodge #1137, 2616 E. Napier Ave. at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Steer, who was awarded the Presidential Point of Light in 1992 by George H. Bush, was a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Infantry during the Vietnam War.

It was on Hill 875 that he lost his right arm and his leg was severely wounded. After lying wounded for two days under dead bodies, praying he wouldn’t die and that the enemy wouldn’t find him, he was finally rescued and flown to a hospital where four surgeons operated for five hours to save his life.

Over the years, Steer, an evangelist since 1980, has ministered in six war zones throughout the world and worked with the American Red Cross for 17 days immediately following the Sept 11, 2001, attack on the country.

In January 2005, he spent three weeks helping victims of the tsunami in Malaysia and Indochina.

There is no charge for this concert but a good-will offering will be taken. Call (269) 925-7176.