Page 4 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, July 7 2017

July 2017 SPOTLIGHT Thunderbolt www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb http://www.luke.af.mil
4
Luke voice sings anthem, resonates patriotism
AF recognizes TBolt as best IP
The following individual received a 2016 Air Force-level award:
Fighter instructor pilot: Maj. John Widmer, 314th Fighter Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class CALEB WORPEL
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
His heart is racing, mind is focused as he walks on stage for the three-minute performance. Most importantly, his voice is steady.
Airman 1st Class Timothy Orr, 944th Operations Group aviation resource manager, is considered to hold two roles at Luke Air Force Base – his role within the wing and as a national anthem singer for base events.
“I always knew singing for the Air Force was something I wanted to do,” Orr said. “Music has been in my life as far back as I can remember, and it just made sense to sing for the base.”
According to Orr, he became involved with singing the national anthem in 2011 while attending college near his hometown in Illinois. Shortly after joining the Air Force, his ability to sing the song followed him upon his arrival at Luke in January 2015.
“I told my supervisor I had experience singing the national anthem, and I wanted to get involved on base,” Orr said. “I walked over to the wing headquarters building and asked if I could do it and that was it. They put me on the list of singers to contact and a few months later everything took off.”
Luke maintains a list of five or more singers capable of singing the national an- them for almost every type of formal gath- ering that takes place. The events range
Airman 1st Class Timothy Orr, 944th Op- erations Group aviation resource manag- er, poses for a portrait after singing the national anthem June 8 at Luke Air Force Base. Orr performs the national anthem approximately seven times a month at functions on and off base representing service members stationed at Luke.
from retirements, change-of-command ceremonies, sporting events to gradua- tions. Rendering proper courtesies to the national anthem is a custom of military personnel.
Orr describes that being selected to sing the song holds an even more power- ful meaning.
“To me, the song means freedom, power
See ANTHEM, Page 23
FREE BURGER
Luke CDC best in AF ...
Senior Airman Devante Williams
Edna Ruiz, 56th Force Support Squadron child and youth program assistant, watches children during suppertime June 7 at the Luke Air Force Base Child Development Center. The CDC was recently chosen as the Air Force’s best Child Development Center of the Year for 2016.
NO SURGERY • NO DOWNTIME
Beat the tape the smart way with
CALL
TODAY to set up your FREE consultation & to learn more about our military specials!
623-242-9910
14411 W. McDowell Rd. Suite No. C-102 Goodyear, AZ 85395
www.dejavumedspa.com
Buy any burger and drink, Keller Williams Realty
get another burger FREE
@ Westgate Entertainment Center
Professional Partners
2403 N Pebble Creek Pkwy. #101 Goodyear, AZ 85395 robyncarpenter@kw.com
480-370-8488
Active Duty, Reserve,
Retired Veterans, and Military Spouse For PCS, VA Loans or Extended TDY Call a REALTOR® that knows your needs
Robyn Carpenter-Gall
Military Wife/REALTOR®
Each office independently owned and operated
Joella Sartin
Branch Manager
Stearns Lending | Scottsdale Branch 7320 E. Deer Valley Rd., Suite 110A Scottsdale, AZ 85255 www.stearnshomeloans.com/Scottsdale 480.428.0369 Office 480.452.0629 Fax
Equal or lesser value entrée will be free. No cash value. No copies or reproductions
accepted. Not valid with any other discounts, offers or special promotions. Must
present coupon to redeem. Tax and tip not included. No substitutions. Valid only at Stearns Lending, LLC and the above mentioned companies are not affiliated participating Johnny Rockets restaurants. ©2016 The Johnny Rockets Group, Inc.
NMLS# 240377 / Branch NMLS# 871145 / Company NMLS #1854