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NORFOLK, Va. —- Members of the alternative rock band Saving Abel visited the Navy Exchange at Naval Station Norfolk before their concert at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre, July 28.
Saving Abel is performing in Virginia Beach with rock bands Nickelback and Hinder as part of the Dark Horse Tour.
At the NEX, service members and their families were treated to a live acoustic rendition of "In God's Eyes", "18 Days" and "Addicted", three songs from their self-titled debut album.
In between songs, the band extended their appreciation to service members as they cheered.
"We're glad to be here," said Weeks. "Thank you for what you do."
Jared Weeks, the lead singer for the group, says the band has visited military bases throughout their current tour, including Naval Station Great Lakes in Chicago and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"It was definitely an eye opener for us to see [wounded Soldiers]," said Weeks. "The soldiers were happy to see us and it was good for our morale because we owe so much more to those who give alot."
The band has been on the road for two years and is always supportive of service members whenever they play in a military community.
"We feel supportive of the military because there are so many service members out here," said Saving Abel's rhythm guitarist Scott Bartlett. "Regardless of the different bases we've been to, we can't thank service members enough for what they do. We also know they love music and we love playing it for them."
After the band performed their three songs for Sailors, they signed autographs and interacted with them.
"I got to meet them when I was stationed at [Naval Station] Great Lakes," said Chief Petty Officer Douglas Arterburn, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason. "I love that they support and appreciate us for what we do. When my daughter saw the advertisement of their visit at the NEX, I had to see them again."
Sailors who were originally at the NEX to shop also stopped by to see the band play.
"I heard 'Addicted' and they were really good," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam Delatorre, a hospital corpsman assigned to Expeditionary Combat Readiness Command. "I'm actually leaving later today to go to Diego Garcia and I thought what better way to spend my last day in Virginia than to meet [Saving Abel]."
Saving Abel's next stop during their tour is at the Nissan Pavilion in Washington, D.C. on July 29th, followed by the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte, N.C. July 31st.
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2009 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 36909 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, US |
| Web Views: | 245 |
| Downloads: | 203 |
This work, Saving Abel meets Service members at Norfolk NEX, by PO1 John Suits, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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