On November 15, 2025, Joe Walsh, the Grammy-winning guitarist of The Eagles and native of Wichita, Kansas, will return home for the ninth straight year to host the VetsAid 2025 benefit concert at InTrust Bank Arena. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the show starting at 6 p.m.—a night of music, memory, and money raised for the very people who need it most: Kansas veterans and their families.
Why This Concert Matters More Than Ever
It’s easy to overlook how deeply personal this event is for Walsh. His father, a U.S. Air Force flight instructor who trained pilots on the first operational jet fighter—the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star—died on active duty in Okinawa when Joe was just 20 months old. He never knew him. But he’s spent his life carrying that loss forward, turning grief into action. "I didn’t have a dad," Walsh told KMUW in 2024. "But I’ve met hundreds of veterans who lost theirs. That’s why this isn’t about me. It’s about them." Since co-founding VetsAid in 2017 with his wife, Marjorie Bach, the nonprofit has distributed over $4 million to veteran service organizations across the country. But this year, everything changes. Starting in 2025, every dollar raised at this concert will go exclusively to Kansas-based groups. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a recalibration. After years of national outreach, Walsh and his team realized the most urgent needs were right here—in Wichita, Salina, Dodge City, and rural towns where VA access is sparse and community support is everything.The Lineup: A Who’s Who of American Roots Music
This isn’t just another benefit show. It’s a full-blown musical reunion. Vince Gill will open with a set of heartfelt country ballads. Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen bring their gritty, soulful Americana. But the real magic happens when Walsh takes the stage with Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Nathaniel Rateliff—a supergroup of blues-rock royalty. "It’s not about solos," Walsh said in a recent interview. "It’s about harmony. Just like how a veteran needs community. One voice doesn’t fix anything. But a chorus? That moves mountains." JamBase called last year’s event a "country and blues rock hootenanny," and the 2025 show is shaping up to be even more electric. The energy isn’t just for show—it’s engineered for fundraising. Every song, every encore, every moment between sets is designed to keep people engaged, donating, and connecting.Who Benefits? Kansas Veterans on the Ground
Grant applications for 2025 are already open at www.vetsaid.org/grants, coordinated with the Combined Arms Institute. Past recipients in Wichita include the Wichita Police and Fire Foundation, which helps first responders struggling with PTSD; the Wichita Kansas Intertribal Warrior Society, supporting Native American veterans; and KanVet United Organization, which runs food pantries and housing aid for homeless vets. This year, the focus is on rural outreach. A new grant category has been added for mobile mental health units serving counties with no VA clinics. "We’re not sending money to big cities," said Marjorie Bach in a July 2025 press briefing. "We’re funding vans that drive 100 miles to meet veterans where they are." The numbers tell the story: Kansas has over 165,000 veterans. Nearly 40% live in rural areas. Suicide rates among veteran men in western Kansas are 22% higher than the national average. VetsAid isn’t just raising money—it’s saving lives.
What’s Next? A Model for National Change
The 2024 VetsAid concert sold out nearly 5,200 tickets. This year, organizers expect 6,000+ attendees, with ticket sales already at 85% capacity. But the real impact? It’s measured in grants. In 2024, VetsAid gave $785,000 to 17 organizations. This year, with the Kansas-only focus, that number is projected to jump to $1.2 million. Walsh’s model is catching on. In March 2025, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kansas announced a new partnership with VetsAid to co-host quarterly town halls. "We’ve been doing this for 100 years," said VFW State Commander Linda Ruiz. "But Joe? He makes people listen." The concert’s success has even prompted state legislators to consider a matching grant program for nonprofits that raise private funds for veteran services. "This isn’t politics," Walsh insists. "It’s patriotism."Why Joe Walsh Keeps Coming Back
He could play Madison Square Garden any night. He could headline a stadium tour with The Eagles. But every November, he flies back to Wichita—not for the fame, not for the fans, but for the quiet moments after the lights go down. "I see a veteran in a wheelchair, holding his wife’s hand," Walsh told The Sunflower in 2024. "He’s not here for the music. He’s here because someone remembered him. That’s worth more than a platinum record." His father never saw him play. But on November 15, in that arena, thousands will hear his voice—and honor the legacy he never got to know.Frequently Asked Questions
How are VetsAid grants selected for Kansas organizations?
Grant applications are reviewed by a panel of veterans, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates coordinated with the Combined Arms Institute. Priority is given to organizations providing direct services—housing, mental health, transportation, and food—in rural or underserved Kansas counties. All applicants must show proof of 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate measurable impact over the past 12 months.
What percentage of ticket sales goes to veterans?
VetsAid reports that 92% of net proceeds from the 2025 concert will go directly to veteran service grants. The remaining 8% covers production costs, security, and administrative fees. Unlike many benefit concerts, VetsAid does not pay its performers—every musician donates their time and talent, and even the venue, InTrust Bank Arena, waived its standard rental fee for this event.
Can I donate without attending the concert?
Yes. VetsAid accepts online donations year-round at www.vetsaid.org/donate. Donors can designate their gift to specific programs, such as mobile mental health units or veteran housing. All donations are tax-deductible, and 90% of every dollar given outside the concert still supports Kansas-based veteran organizations.
Why is the 2025 event focused only on Kansas?
After six years of national grants, VetsAid’s leadership found that rural Kansas veterans faced the highest unmet needs—long distances to VA centers, lack of transportation, and social isolation. By concentrating resources locally, they can deliver deeper, more sustainable impact. The goal is to create a replicable model: deep local investment, not broad but shallow outreach.
Is this event politically affiliated?
No. VetsAid is strictly nonpartisan. No politicians speak at the event. No party logos appear on banners. Joe Walsh has repeatedly stated, "There’s no politics in this at all." The organization accepts funding and support from individuals and businesses across the political spectrum, as long as they share the mission of serving veterans with dignity.
How can veterans apply for assistance from VetsAid?
Veterans cannot apply directly for grants—VetsAid funds organizations, not individuals. But any Kansas veteran in need can contact one of the 15+ partner agencies listed on the VetsAid website. These groups, like KanVet United and the Intertribal Warrior Society, act as intermediaries to connect veterans with housing, counseling, job training, or emergency aid funded by VetsAid grants.
