10/15/2009 – Hiroshima, Japan – They’ve played before select crowds before – heads of state, military leaders and the like. But, for the members of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, the crowd at the Oct. 14 show in southern Japan was not only exclusive, but held special meaning for the performers. The band, five days into a 10-day tour, played before 100 residents of the Yano Orizuru-en nursing home in Hiroshima. Constructed only three years ago, the one-of-kind home’s residents are all survivors of the Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima. Residents range in age from 66 to 107 years and there’s a waiting list of nearly 2,000 to get into the facility. “The patients were all very welcoming to us,” said Tech. Sgt. Gary Rosenak, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia guitarist. “It made us feel good to do something like this for them.” The patients as well as the staff of the nursing home were very thankful and appreciative of the band and their music, according to Nobua Murata, chief of the nursing home. Following the performance, a few audience members presented gifts of thanks to band members. “We rarely get opportunities to listen to live music, and we enjoyed it very much,” said Mr. Murata. “It was also the first time the band has come to play here for us, which was also a huge honor.” Band members said they felt honored to perform at the home and wanted to show the patients respect for what they had gone through, according to Sergeant Rosenak. “We want to keep building our relationship with them,” he said. “We would be honored to perform again if they invited us here in the future.” by Airman First Class Sean Martin 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs