JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- (Editor’s note: The names of the veterans were left out due to security concerns and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band’s Blue Aces performed a holiday concert at the Hampton Veteran’s Medical Center, Dec. 7.
The event’s purpose was to inspire, honor and connect with veterans from the past and present.
Since 1941, U.S. Air Force bands have inspired billions of listeners through music, concerts and recordings. Today, they continue to positively impact the global community with events such as this one.
“Music fills the spirit and soul; you need that in the military,” said Col. (Ret.) Arnald Gabriel, World War II D-Day veteran and former 564th Tactical Air Command Band director. “There are many roles for music. Playing for combat veterans is very important.”
Veterans from all services were in attendance at the medical center’s concert.
“A lot of the gentlemen that I’ve seen today have served in the Navy, Army, Marines and Air Force,” said Senior Airman Ashley Cook, a vocalist with the Heritage of America Band’s Blue Aces. “So we want to just let them know that we’re thinking about them this holiday season.”
Cook said it was a good feeling to brighten up someone’s day by bringing holiday cheer.
“The concert was a powerful event that impacted me emotionally,” said a veteran in attendance.
Veterans in the audience spoke enthusiastically of the concert and were thankful that the Blue Aces took the time to provide a show for them.
“I love it! I love intimate settings like this because it makes me feel like a one on one with everyone in the crowd,” Cook said. “That’s what it’s really about for me – being able to share my gift to bless others.”
Despite the large amount of active duty service members who live, work and get treated at the Hampton VA medical Center, there is still a large amount of military members who have never visited a veteran’s hospital, Cook said.
“Come visit and see the VA. Come and see the legacy of the military,” Cook said. “I’m just blown away by hearing some of the things these people have done. They’re like heroes for us.”