Alton, Mo. – In celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial, Collins Coffee will host a day-long community social titled “Liberty & Lattes: America’s 250th at Collins Coffee” on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Located at 17 Court Square in downtown Alton, the historic event will feature local voices, community music, and a monumental homecoming performance by legendary local veteran, author, and songwriter Dennis Hodo.
Schedule
The day-long celebration kicks off at 12:00 PM with the Civic Voices Open-Mic, inviting local musicians, poets, and storytellers to share their expressions of community and regional heritage until 3:00 PM. Following a day of local talent, the spotlight turns to the main event of the festival: “The Return of the Red Warrior: The Songs & Stories of Dennis Hodo,” commencing at 3:00 PM with no set end time.
History
The Return of the Red Warrior: The Songs and Stories of Dennis Hodo
On a spring night in 1967, a young rock-and-roll band from Doniphan, Missouri, took the stage at the Alton High School prom. Behind the guitar was Dennis Hodo, a local kid channeling the vibrant energy of the late-‘60s garage rock scene. The room was filled with music, laughter, and the fragile hope of youth.
Shortly after the final chords of that prom faded, reality shifted. The draft came calling, and Dennis, along with several of his bandmates, was thrust from the relative peace of the Missouri Ozarks into the grueling reality of the Vietnam War. Serving with the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division, Dennis became “Doc” Hodo—a frontline field medic and Head Medic of A Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, famously known as the “Red Warriors.” In the dense jungle of the Central Highlands, his hands traded a guitar neck for life-saving medical gear.
Decades later, Dennis Hodo is still healing—and helping others heal—through the power of raw, unfiltered art.
Today
Today, Dennis is a celebrated Missouri author, songwriter, and acoustic troubadour. He has successfully captured his harrowing tour of duty in his raw combat memoir, The Bamboo Bridge, and recently explored the fragile beauty of a post-war Midwestern childhood in his January 2026 historical fiction novel, Soft Rain.
A familiar and beloved face on the St. Louis and mid-Missouri acoustic circuits, Dennis frequently graces small-town stages, open mics, and regional broadcasts like KOPN’s Open Mike Radio. His performances are far more than just concerts; they are intimate communal experiences where original acoustic melodies seamlessly intertwine with gripping, spoken-word storytelling. A passionate advocate for veteran solidarity, Dennis uses his platform to champion creative expression and the arts as vital tools for processing trauma and PTSD recovery.
On June 27, 2026, as part of the nationwide America 250 Semiquincentennial celebration, Dennis Hodo is coming full circle. Nearly sixty years after he played to a room of Alton teenagers on the brink of war, he returns to the historic Court Square. Join us at Collins Coffee for an extraordinary, intimate evening of live music, profound remembrance, and the enduring power of the American spirit.
Following Hodo’s headlining performance, the day will culminate at 7:00 PM with a Jam Session hosted by the Collin’s Coffee house musicians, inviting the community to pull up a chair and enjoy a rowdy, Rock, Metal, and Bluesy session to close out the night.
“Liberty & Lattes” is a free, all-ages event open to the public. Attendees can enjoy a full menu of local coffee and refreshments while taking part in a landmark moment of Alton’s history.
For more information regarding the schedule, open-mic signups, or media inquiries, please contact Seth at Collins Coffee or via email at ElevenPointProductions@gmail.com
