Grand Ole Opry Performers the Massengale Brothers Headline Cape Fair Eagles Fundraiser for The Freedom 13
Inspired by a chance encounter at a Big & Rich concert, a local Army veteran and his wife are rallying their community to honor 13 fallen American heroes and support veterans and their families.
CAPE FAIR, MO | October 20, 2026 – An evening of award-winning country music, good food, and a powerful mission is coming to Cape Fair on Friday, November 6, 2026, when the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4278 hosts a fundraising event featuring Grand Ole Opry performers Garrett and Dillon Massengale, known as the Massengale Brothers.
The event will benefit The Freedom 13, a nonprofit organization established in memory of the 13 American service members killed in the August 26, 2021, Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The evening will feature a pulled pork dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., live country music from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and a 50/50 raffle. All Aerie proceeds will be donated to The Freedom 13.
The event is open to the public.
A Concert That Inspired a Mission
For Jaime Jay, Chaplain of the Cape Fair Eagles Aerie #4278 and a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the fundraiser began with an experience he and his wife, Sara, never expected.
While attending a Big & Rich concert, the couple encountered The Freedom 13 organization and its unmistakable patriotic truck wrapped with the faces of the 13 American service members killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
What began as curiosity quickly became a personal commitment.
"My wife, Sara, and I were at a Big & Rich concert when we first learned about The Freedom 13," said Jay. "They had this incredible truck wrapped with the faces of the 13 American heroes we lost in Afghanistan. Seeing those faces was powerful. But when we learned what the organization was doing to honor them, we knew we had to get involved."
The organization's vision includes developing recreational healing camps featuring 13 homes, each dedicated to one of the fallen service members. These retreats are intended to provide veterans, police officers, and their families with opportunities for healing, fellowship, and outdoor recreation.
"As a veteran myself, that mission really hit home," Jay continued. "These men and women have given so much for our country, and I believe we have a responsibility to stand behind them when they come home."
When representatives of The Freedom 13 agreed to visit Cape Fair, Jay and his fellow Eagles members saw an opportunity to turn that commitment into action.
"When The Freedom 13 told us they would come to Cape Fair, we jumped at the opportunity. Our goal is simple. We want to raise as much money as we possibly can to support these camps, honor those 13 heroes, and show our veterans and their families that their sacrifices will never be forgotten."
Jay hopes the fundraiser will bring together the entire community.
"You don't have to be a veteran to appreciate the sacrifice these families have made. Come enjoy some great country music, share a meal, meet the people behind this incredible mission, and be part of something that truly matters."
Two Brothers. Extraordinary Talent. One Meaningful Cause.
Headlining the event are Garrett and Dillon Massengale, two award-winning musicians whose careers have already taken them to some of country music's most celebrated stages.
Both brothers have performed at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and have shared stages and recording opportunities with some of the industry's most respected artists.
Garrett Massengale, 26, began playing drums at age 14, stepping in when live shows needed a drummer. That early willingness to perform eventually led to hundreds of appearances alongside entertainers including Mark Wills, Rhonda Vincent, Moe Bandy, and Johnny Lee.
With the support of Grand Ole Opry member Rhonda Vincent, Garrett made his own appearance on the famous Opry stage just four months after his younger brother's debut.
He has recorded a solo album, appeared on RFD-TV's The Penny Gilley Show in Fort Worth, Texas, and received the 2024 Drummer of the Year award from the Terry Music Awards.
Dillon Massengale, 22, has an equally inspiring story.
Diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of four, Dillon faced early predictions about what he might never accomplish. Rather than allowing those predictions to determine his future, he pursued his love of music and developed into a gifted baritone vocalist and bass player.
On August 17, 2021, at just 17 years old, Dillon made his Grand Ole Opry debut after receiving an invitation from Rhonda Vincent.
Since then, he has appeared on RFD-TV and the PBS program WoodSongs, while recording with renowned performers including Rhonda Vincent, Junior Brown, Jimmy Fortune, Michael Peterson, and Leona Williams.
His achievements include being named 2023 Young Artist of the Year by the Arkansas Country Music Awards.
In 2026, Dillon earned two additional honors at the Branson Show Awards, receiving Male Vocalist of the Year and Bass Player of the Year.
Together, the Massengale Brothers bring traditional country music, outstanding musicianship, and a genuine family connection to the stage.
On November 6, they will bring that talent to Cape Fair in support of a mission that reaches far beyond the music.
Remembering the 13 Who Never Came Home.
On August 26, 2021, thirteen American service members were killed in a terrorist bombing at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, while assisting with evacuation operations.
Among those killed was Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, a Missouri native.
His parents, Mark and Jaclyn Schmitz, established The Freedom 13 to ensure their son and the 12 fellow American heroes who died alongside him would never be forgotten.
For the Schmitz family, the loss of their son became the driving force behind an organization dedicated to honoring the fallen while supporting those who continue to carry the burdens of military and law enforcement service.
The organization's guiding promise is simple:
To Remember. To Honor. To Support.
The Freedom 13 Recreational Healing Camp Project aims to create destinations where veterans, police officers, and their families can spend meaningful time together in peaceful outdoor settings.
The vision includes developing recreational properties with 13 homes honoring the 13 fallen service members. These retreats are designed to offer activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and other outdoor experiences that encourage healing, connection, and camaraderie.
The organization's mission recognizes a powerful truth: remembering those who never came home can go hand in hand with caring for those who did.
Cape Fair Community Comes Together
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4278 is inviting the entire Southwest Missouri community to participate in an evening that combines entertainment, fellowship, and charitable giving.
The event begins with a pulled pork dinner served from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for $10 per plate.
The Massengale Brothers will perform live from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
A 50/50 raffle will also be held, with proceeds benefiting The Freedom 13.
Representatives of The Freedom 13 are expected to attend, giving community members an opportunity to learn more about the organization and the mission behind its recreational healing camps.
All Aerie proceeds from the event will be donated to The Freedom 13.
For Jay, the event represents something fundamental about the Eagles and the people of Southwest Missouri.
"We live in a community where people still believe in showing up for one another," Jay said. "This is our chance to show up for families who have sacrificed more than most of us can imagine. If we can fill the Eagles with people who love great country music and believe in supporting our veterans, we can make a real difference."
Event Details
Event: The Freedom 13 Benefit Fundraiser featuring the Massengale Brothers
Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
Location: Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4278, Cape Fair, Missouri
Pulled Pork Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | $10 per plate
Live Music: 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Central Time
Additional Activities: 50/50 raffle
Beneficiary: The Freedom 13
Fundraising Commitment: All Aerie proceeds will be donated to The Freedom 13.
Admission: Open to the public
About the Massengale Brothers
Garrett and Dillon Massengale are an award-winning country music duo known for their powerful vocals, instrumental talent, and commitment to traditional country music. Both brothers have performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage and earned individual honors recognizing their musical accomplishments.
Learn more at massengalebrothers.com.
About The Freedom 13
The Freedom 13 was established by Mark and Jaclyn Schmitz in memory of their son, Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, and the 12 other American service members killed in the August 26, 2021, Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan.
The organization is dedicated to remembering fallen American heroes and supporting veterans, police officers, and their families. Its Recreational Healing Camp Project seeks to create lasting places of healing, fellowship, and outdoor recreation.
Learn more at thefreedom13.org.
About Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4278
Located in Cape Fair, Missouri, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4278 is part of a longstanding fraternal organization committed to charitable giving, community involvement, and supporting those in need.
Through fundraising events and community activities, the Aerie brings people together in the spirit of service and fellowship.
Join the Cape Fair Eagles on November 6 as we remember the fallen, honor their sacrifice, and support those who served.