Posted on 08/04/2004 5:25:24 PM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA - It was a fast-paced 90 minutes of singing and dancing but for many in the audience this year's Soldier Show came to an end too soon.
There were about 600 who watched Thursday's 5 p.m. performance - it was followed by a second one at 8 p.m. - at the Buena Performing Arts Center. Wednesday night, about 1,100 saw the show.
For Donna Deal, a retired Army master sergeant, the show was something she sees every year since she retired and moved to Sierra Vista.
During the performance, she tapped her feet and moved her head in time with the music.
At the end of each piece she applauded loudly and long.
"I like all the music," Deal said.
But it is the end of the show when the performers - this year 15 - do something patriotic that brings tears to her eyes.
She wasn't the only one standing at attention and crying as the performers sang the Army's song, for other retired GIs, who once wore Army green did so too.
At the end of the show each of the performers introduced themselves.
When Pfc. Clarence Reeves mentioned he was from Sierra Vista, the audience erupted in loud applause and cheers.
Outside the auditorium, as people passed by the performers, a pair of 12-year-old girls gave their opinion of the show.
Both Tyneeka Warren and Ciarra Simpson proclaim the event well done.
Tyneeka said she like the "Outcast" performance.
Ciarra added, "It showed they (the soldier cast) worked hard on it."
When asked who their favorite performer was, both shyly looked over their shoulders and almost in unison, pointed and said "him."
The him in this case was Staff Sgt. Charles Howard who Ciarra proclaimed "has a good voice."
The Rev. Tommy Simpson could not have agreed more with their choice for he knew Howard when the soldier was stationed with the 11th Signal Brigade on Fort Huachuca.
Howard is now assigned to Company A 17th Signal Battalion in Kitzingen, Germany.
Simpson, who pastors the Kino Chapel Protestant service on the post, said he last saw Howard when he left in 1996, At that time Simpson was assigned to the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade. He retired as a sergeant first class.
Just before Howard left to get ready for the last of the three performances, Simpson and he hugged.
"He has good range," Simpson said of his friend. "He always sang in the choir."
It was Col. Mary Beth Shively, the chief of staff of the Network Enterprise Technology Command, who put the performers' enthusiasm in perspective.
"There is an absolutely incredible amount of talent," she said while sharing the stage with the soldier performers near the end of the show. "You all make me proud to be a soldier."
We Support the Troops and the Troops Support Us.
Bump for Ft. Huachuca, Sierra Vista and our GIs!
Double bump for Ft. Huachuca, Sierra Vista and our GIs!
THANK YOU ALL!
Make it a tiple bump for Ft. H, S.V., and definatly our GIs!
Plus just a feelin' good in AZ Bump!
'kin' A
Thanks for the ping!
Big Bump For Our Troops!
Bump!
If you have an opportunity, see a Tops In Blue performance. Air Force men and women who put on a musical revue that is as good as any you could see in Vegas or on Broadway. Amazing talent.
We often get a chance to see the talent from Davis-Monthan AFB just a short 70 miles north of us.
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