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Nothing But Smiles

  • Published
  • By Mr. Ray Landon
  • USAF Heritage of America Band
"Nothing but Smiles"
By Mr. Ray Landon
USAF Heritage of America Band

Smiles were not in short supply at several Veterans Administration facilities recently.
The Blue Aces, a popular music group that is part of the USAF Heritage of America Band, recently completed a week-long tour of Veterans Administration facilities in the Northeast, bringing hundreds of smiles to Veteran residents, VA staff and volunteers. The six-member group, stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, performed hour-long shows at several VA locations in New York and New Jersey, playing upbeat music, providing cheer and a message of good will to hundreds of former service members seeking medical care.
The band's programs, which included both classic rock and roll and today's current hits, were met with enthusiasm by event sponsors. Mr. Christopher Ingersoll, a public affairs specialist with the Northport (NY) Veterans Administration Medical Center commented, "During many of the numbers, veterans from the nursing home were out of their chairs dancing with the staff and still others were singing along with the music. It was nothing but smiles." And VA providers were equally happy. Ms. Marsha Bradley, a recreation therapist with the VA New Jersey Health Care System said, "Everyone here at the Community Living Center would love to have them perform for our residents again because such entertainment comes along once in a lifetime." Another staff member from the Manhattan (NY) Campus VA Center commented, "I've seen people smile that haven't smiled in a long time."
The band's tour was not without its surprises, too. While playing for and greeting many veterans from recent conflicts, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, band members were also introduced to a few who had served in Vietnam, Korea and even World War II. Senior Airman Emerald Payne, the vocalist for the Blue Aces, was pleased to meet Mrs. Genevieve Landman Rausch, who served as part of the Women Air Force Service Pilots of World War II, and now a resident of one of the facilities. Payne says, "It was awesome to meet her - to hear her tell her story was such an honor. Although she thanked us for our service, I had to thank her even more for paving the way for us so many years ago!"
Master Sergeant Kenny Maurais, the band's bassist and non-commissioned officer in charge, states, "Whenever and wherever we perform, we are always looking for ways to honor our nation's veterans. This tour provided us with several unique opportunities to provide a brief bit of musical fun and entertainment to some very important people. We simply love playing for these heroes."
The Blue Aces are planning other outreach tours for the future, which, in addition to performances for the general public, will include the occasional stop into a Veterans Administration facility--undoubtedly producing many more smiles on the faces of our nation's veterans. Ingersoll comments, "We would love to have the Blue Aces back any time. It was a great performance!"