Blue Steel Offers Inspiration through World Class Music Published Dec. 12, 2008 By MSgt Steven M. Przyzycki The USAF Academy Band New York, NY -- As Technical Sergeants Victoria Bruyette and Andrew Benton, members of The United States Air Force Academy Band's pop/rock ensemble Blue Steel endured the long flight home from their deployment in Southwest Asia and the horn of Africa last year, they were overwhelmed with emotion from the life-changing experiences they had undergone. "I have always known that our music is an invaluable vehicle in telling the Air Force story," explained Blue Steel vocalist TSgt Bruyette. Her eyes welled up with tears as she continued, "it means so much to reach people in these areas and to be able to offer a glimmer of hope for a better way of life...especially when it's being offered to the children--it's priceless." Realizing the value of their music as a tool to build community and international relations, Sergeants Bruyette and Benton began to think about how their music could have the same impact back home in America. "It occurred to me that it just wouldn't be enough to play sold-out public concerts and school shows anymore," stated TSgt Benton, the group's Tour Manager. "What about the underprivileged kids--the ones that live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods...the at risk youth that so badly needs a sense of hope?" "I want these kids to realize that they too, can be leaders in our Air Force and in our country, that the American dream can be realized by them as well, and I want them to hear it not only from us, but from our veterans, our past and present leaders who have sacrificed so much to preserve that American dream and our way of life." With their vivid memories of a recent, successful deployment at hand, Blue Steel has set out to have greater impact at every performance they do. On a recent tour to New York City, their performances included concerts at the Harlem Children's Zone, the New York City Fire Department in Brooklyn, the Veterans Association Hospital in Queens, and appearances on Fox and Friends and at New York Jets and Giants football games. The group realizes that by honoring civic leaders and veterans, they are better servants to society, and that they are answering the call to serve in the profession of arms at a higher responsibility. Blue Steel will also focus on targeting youth organizations to include music and dance troupes, Junior ROTC programs and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. They will continue to provide musical support at public concerts and national sporting events and at various military ceremonies as well. Blue Steel has always been an integral force in the areas of Air Force recruiting, community relations and troop support. The new impact however, is that they want to draw upon the success they had while deployed. They saw their music as a valuable tool for community leaders and coalition leaders to negotiate various diplomatic affairs. Now, they want to go into communities that have never seen a performance by The USAF Academy Band and communicate the message that you should strive to be the best you can be at whatever calling you answer. As Blue Steel sets out to tour the nation, expect to hear the same high energy impact show that they have always provided. This world class band will have you on your feet. You can expect something new and extraordinary that will challenge all preconceptions. They will rock you to the core, and behind the music will be an important message, and that message will be that a great leader in America can come from anywhere, and more often than not, from humble origins.