Photo By Ted Nichols | Service members, veterans and members of the community gather for the 2015 U.S. Army...... read more read more
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ANNVILLE, Pa. - Service members, veterans and members of the various communities surrounding Fort Indiantown Gap gathered at Lebanon Valley College’s Sorrentino Gymnasium last night for the 2015 U.S. Army Soldier Show “We Serve,” sponsored by the installation’s MWR program.
“When we were asked if we wanted to bring the U.S. Army Soldier Show we jumped at the opportunity,” said Lt. Col. Robert Hepner, garrison commander. “As Pennsylvania Guard members we are involved in every community across Pennsylvania, and because of that involvement in the community we at Fort Indiantown Gap, as a Pennsylvania National Guard installation, felt that bringing the Soldier Show to the community was something we could do for the community in appreciation for all of the support they have given us.”
Those on hand for the family-style variety show enjoyed a range of song-and-dance entertainment from opera to top 40 selections performed by soldiers touring the country as part of the 2015 tour. The show is also commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
“We heard about this show on social media through Fort Indiantown Gap’s Facebook page,” said Phil Habowski of Manheim, Pennsylvania, who came to the show with his wife. “I’m really not traditionally a musical person, but sitting there watching it really changed my opinion. You can’t help but appreciate how hard the performers really rehearse for this and all the hard work that goes into their performance – I really enjoyed this and give it a 10.5 out of 10!”
While the performance was enjoyable for those in the audience, it’s a lot of hard work and commitment for those on stage and those behind the scene supporting them. Yet, it’s also something they’re passionate about.
“I’ve worked with music a long time, ever since I’ve been a kid, and I’ve always loved performing,” said 2015 cast member 1st Lt. William Bland, 198th Military Police Battalion, Kentucky National Guard. “I joined the military in 2009 and saw the Soldier Show for the first time and was amazed. It made me really proud to be a soldier.”
Bland wouldn’t soon forget that experience.
“After being in the military for a couple of years and hearing more about the Soldier Show, I thought it would be a perfect fit for me to take my passion loving music and performing and use it to inspire others,” said Bland.
The opportunity he is currently being afforded is something he’s enjoying and he’d recommend to others.
“It’s a lot of hard work and it’s not something that is easy, but if you’re passionate about music or performing all you have to do is go online to the Army MWR site and you can put your information in and submit a packet,” explained Bland. “If you get selected, they go through a week-long live audition process to narrow it down from there for the tour, but I definitely recommend this opportunity to anyone that would consider it, but it’s a lot of hard work and you have to be ready for it.”
More information on the 2015 U.S. Army Soldier Show and the remainder of its 2015 tour schedule is available at www.armymwr.com. Other events of interest to the local community around Fort Indiantown Gap are posted on the installation’s MWR page at www.gapmwr.com.
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2015 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 164916 |
| Location: | ANNVILLE, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 151 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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