Page 8 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 11-20-15
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Desert Wings November 20, 2015
8 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
Tops in Blue sings ‘Freedom’s Song’ at Edwards
by Rebecca Amber American Airman. The song they Air Force photographs by Rebecca Amber
Staff writer perform is a tribute to all of the
real heroes in the room and their Tops in Blue performs the national anthem at the beginning of the show; members of the team learned the honor
Air Force Entertainment unit families. guard procedures for the shows.
Tops in Blue appeared on the base
theater stage Nov. 14 as more than Tops in Blue is made up of active together requires wardrobe, lights, “I’ve always told my Airmen, a comes from a family with no mili-
a band. duty, reserve and guardsmen in the DXGLRVXSSRUWGDQFHÀRRUVWDJLQJ lot of people go through their ca- tary background. He wanted to do
Air Force that serve for one sea- and transportation. reer, trying to get something, but something meaningful with his life
They were an opportunity for son that’s treated like a year-long they never actually think of giv- DQG¿QGDEHWWHUSDWKIRUKLPVHOI
Team Edwards families to leave temporary duty. Applications are Staff Sgt. Ronald Brooks, 56th ing back to the Air Force. The 10
their worries at the door and just collected annually and then poten- Logistic Readiness Squadron, years that I’ve been in, I’ve been “The war had just kicked off in
enjoy being free. tial members are selected for live Luke AFB, Ariz., is the NCOIC of given awards, I’ve been presented Iraq and that’s when I signed up.
tryouts in San Antonio, Texas. Transportation. He is responsible opportunities, but to me this is my I’m looking out at all the folks in
This year’s show “Freedom’s for maintenance of the vehicles, gift back to the Air Force,” said WKHQHZVWKDWDUH¿JKWLQJIRUIUHH-
Song” travelled through American “In the beginning it’s kind of like planning routes and coordinating Brooks. dom and I just wanted to support
time and culture to bring music American Idol,” said vocalist Staff rest and food stops. His extra duty that,” he recalled. “It was a bit of
from all genres and decades to the Sgt. Brooke Hairston, 743rd Intelli- is running the spotlight. Brooks is from New Orleans and patriotism and a bit of opportunity
audience. The show opened with a gence Support Squadron, Lackland
patriotic feel and then moved into Air Force Base, Texas. for myself.”
Top 40 hits like “Uptown Funk” Tops in Blue is nearly as old
and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You.” Thirty-five members were se-
lected for this year’s Tops in Blue; as the Air Force, founded 62
Then the clock turns back to 20 vocalists, 10 band members and years ago in 1953.
the start of the 1900s and moves ¿YHWHFKQLFLDQV7KHUHDUHPHP-
through the decades with gospel, EHUVIURPDOOFDUHHU¿HOGVUDQNLQJ According to Rogers, the
country, pop and even a disco song. from airman first class to major. show always ends on a patriotic
The group starts with 60 days of re- note.
“What we want you to walk hearsal and then they’re on the road
away with is feeling the diversity from March 16, 2015, to January “My favorite song is the end
of our Air Force and the diversity 2016. This year, they will put on 75 song ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ be-
of our families,” said 1st Lt. Lau- VKRZVDQGWKH¿QDOOHJRIWKHWRXU cause I literally get chills,” said
UHQ5RJHUVSXEOLFDIIDLUVRI¿FHU starting in December, is dedicated Hairston. “Sometimes the whole
Misawa Air Base, Japan. “We’ve to deployed locations. audience will stand up and it
EHHQ WR -DSDQ 6RXWK .RUHD DQG really reminds you why you’re
Italy, and music is something that “We get to go to veteran’s homes, here and why you’re serving.”
is universal. Even when we don’t community centers, CDCs, and of
really understand what each other course, our main performances at
are saying we can still be touched various bases and the holidays are
This year’s Tops in Blue show “Freedom’s Song” travelled through
American time and culture to bring music from all genres and decades
to the audience.
by music so that is really what is so spent at all the deployed locations,” Above: Air Force entertainment unit
special about Tops in Blue.” said Hairston. “My favorite part is Tops in Blue appeared on the base
going to the veterans homes and theater stage Nov. 14.
At one point in the show, Her- hearing their stories.”
cules, Spiderman, Superman and
other super heroes took the stage. 7RSVLQ%OXHLVDVHOIVXI¿FLHQW
Then they announce that another unit, with each person taking re-
hero, who has earned his place sponsibility for multiple aspects
among them, will join them — an of the show. Putting each show
During a special tribute to all of the Airmen in attendance, an American
Airman joins a band of superheroes on the stage.
