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Show HILLTOP TIMES Grief melts fear, leads Reservist to worldwide talent audition 717 1 MES Jan. 17, 2013 SUN DANCE FILM FESTIVAI, BY CAPT. CATHLEEN SNOW 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs P ATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A package in the mail containing a T-shirt renewed hope for one talented Air Force Reservist in the 920th Rescue Wing. Tech. Sgt. Altrameise Myers, information management craftsman, was a little confused when she received a package in the mail with a lone T-shirt emblazoned with the words — Mission Audition. It came from the Air Force's highly coveted entertainment troupe, Tops in Blue, of which she had recently sent an audition video. Similar to the realty television show American Idol, Tops in Blue's sets out to find the most talented vocalists, musicians and dancers in the U.S. Air Force whose primary purpose is to entertain military personnel and their families throughout the world, even those deployed to combat. "At first I thought the T-shirt was a consolation prize, like thanks for auditioning, but no thanks," said Myers. A telephone call later and she learned that the special T came as an invite to Tops in Blue's worldwide talent search for an in-person, seven-day audition in San Antonio, Texas. "It's exciting," said Myers. "I'm going to put my very best foot forward." Until now, stepping on stage to sing the national anthem had been her only public performance experience. "I'd be shaking in my boots everytime," said Myers who was plagued with terrible stage fright when faced with an audience. But recently, a terrible loss, the passing of her 17-year-old son AJ, Sept. 30, has melted her fear. "My son would always tell me, 'You need to do something with that talent, Mom,'" she said as she would sing around the house. "I think about him and it takes all of my fear away," said Myers, who finally went into the studio by his constant prompting, and interpreted a song, recorded it, then sent it off to Tops in Blue. "It's (performing) something I've been afraid of, but lately I have not been afraid," said Myers. "We loved your singing! Thank you for participating," she said the voice on the other end of the telephone told her when she called about the T-shirt. Her commander, Col. George Raeder, 920th Mission Support Group, concurred. "I get goosebumps everytime I hear her sing," he said of her soulful rendition of the national anthem. Myers said the gesture of sending a T-shirt invite is one of many Tops in Blues' longstanding traditions. Its history dates back 59 years and it's one of Courtesy photo "History of the Eagles, Part 1" screens Jan. 22 at Peery's Egyptian Theater during the Ogden portion of the Sundance Film Festival. SUNDANCE From page 7 CAPT. CATHLEEN SNOW/U.S. Air Force Air Force Reservist, Tech. Sgt. Altrameise Myers, information management craftsman, 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla., poses with a photo of her late son AJ who passed away at 17 years old, on Sept. 30. Myers' grief helped to melt away her stage fright which led to an invite to audition for the Air Force's highly coveted Air Force Tops in Blue entertainment troupe. the oldest and most widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind. The group has appeared on national television with such legends as Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Boyz II Men, Lee Greenwood, and many others. If Myers is selected, she will be one of a few reservists who make the team which is composed of 35 to 40 of the most talented vocalists, musicians, dancers, and technicians in the Air Force. Upon selection, the training will consist of a highly accelerated educational process to prepare the candidates to succeed as world-class entertainers and distinguished Air Force Ambassadors during the 10-month worldwide tour. Military, civilian blood donors provide 'gift of life BY TERRI MOON CRONK American Forces Press Service W ASHINGTON — January is National Blood Donor Month and Defense Department employees are encouraged to "roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life," said Air Force Col. Richard McBride, Armed Services Blood Program director. The military blood program also celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, with "60 Years of Donors — We Thank You," as its theme, McBride said. The program coordinates support between the military services and the combatant commands to ensure sufficient blood products and services exist wherever troops serve, McBride explained. The blood program is a triservice effort involving the Army, Navy and Air Force, he said. "Without the three services' support, we wouldn't have a military program," McBride said. The military's blood program began during the late 1940s, when organizations such as the Red Cross supplied blood to wounded warriors during World War II, he said. "We realized we needed a program to support the military," McBride said. "As the population increased, it became more difficult to support the civilian and military (sectors). The military began its own blood program so civilian blood supplies would not be compromised." In the past 60 years, blood donors have helped save wounded warriors in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, McBride said. Both civilian and military programs comply with the same federal regulations, test for infectious diseases and process, manufacture, store and distribute blood wherever it's needed. DoD has the added mission of supporting wounded warriors and DoD beneficiaries worldwide, McBride said. "If there's a doctor and a nurse (who) need blood, it's our responsibility to make sure they have it," he said. "We have a tremendous record and now have the highest survival rate in the history of modern American warfare, which is a testament to the impact our blood program has had in bringing wounded warriors back to their loved ones." The need for blood at military hospitals around the world always exists, he said. Potential donors must be at least 17 years old and free of medical conditions or diseases that would prevent them from donating, McBride said, adding that donors can contribute blood every 56 days. Blood is perishable and only considered safe to use at a maximum of 42 days by law, he added. McBride offers a good reason to donate blood to those who are unsure. "If you have anyone who's a wounded warrior, a loved one, or anyone who's been in the military and has received medical care, that blood comes from people like you," he said. For people who cannot donate blood, volunteers always are needed to help advertise blood drives, and to take care of donors before and after their blood is drawn, McBride said. "We always need people in leadership positions to encourage troops to go out and donate," he said. McBride says some donors have contributed blood for years. "We call them our 'gallon donators,' " he said. McBride told about a young Army lieutenant who recently received more than 500 units of blood from his point of injury through his recuperation and convalescence. "That's a tremendous testament to the impact blood has had on wounded warriors," McBride said. "It's not just the blood — it was the dedicated service of the doctors, nurses and medics who helped him, but we'd like to think those 500 units played a big role." next door. Intrigued by Linda's striking resemblance to her late mother, Emanuel develops a bond with Linda. Starring Kaya Scodelario, Jessica Biel, Alfred Molina and Frances O'Connor. • "Who is Dayani Cristal," 3:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Deep in Arizona's sun-blistered desert, beneath a cicada tree, border police discover a decomposing male body. Lifting a tattered T-shirt, they expose a tattoo that reads "Dayani Cristal." Who is this person? Starring Gael Garcia Bernal. • "Mud," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Matthew McConaughey stars as a fugitive who asks two teen boys to help him evade bounty hunters and reunite with his true love. Reese Witherspoon and Sam Shepard also appear. • "Austenland," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21. Keri Russell stars as an obsessed fan of Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy. She heads to Austenland for an immersive vacation to eschew all things modern, to search for classical love. • "History of the Eagles, Part 1," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Using never-before-seen home movies, archival footage and new interviews with all current and former members of the Eagles, this documentary provides an intimate look into the history of the band and the legacy of their music. • "Before Midnight," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23. We meet Jesse and Celine in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on a train bound for Vienna. Before the clock strikes midnight, we will again become part of their story. Starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. • "The Way, Way Back," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Duncan, an introverted 14-year-old, comes into his own over the course of a comedic summer when he forms unlikely friendships with the gregarious manager of a rundown water park and the misfits who work there. Starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James. • "The Crash Reel," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25. The jaw-dropping story of one unforgettable athlete, Kevin Pearce, one eye-popping sport, snowboarding, and one explosive issue, traumatic brain injury. An epic rivalry between Pearce and Shaun White culminates in a life-changing crash and a comeback story with a difference. This is the Salt Lake City Gala film. • "Big Sur," 9:30 p.m. Jan. 25. This film focuses on a moment in Jack Kerouac's life when, overwhelmed by the success of his opus "On the Road" and struggling with alcoholism, he retreats to a small coastal California town of Big Sur, which eventually inspires his 1962 novel of the same name. Starring Jean-Marc Barr and Kate Bosworth. • "The East," 3:30 p.m. Jan. 26. An operative for an elite private intelligence firm goes into deep cover to infiltrate a mysterious anarchist collective attacking major corporations. Bent on apprehending these fugitives, she finds her loyalty tested as her feelings grow for the group's charismatic leader. Starring Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgard and Ellen Page. • "Stoker," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26. After India's father dies in an auto accident, her Uncle Charlie comes to live with her and her mother, Evelyn. Soon after his arrival, India suspects that this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives but becomes increasingly infatuated with him. Starring Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Dermot Mulroney and Nicole Kidman. • "Very Good Girls," 9:30 p.m., Jan. 26. In the long, half-naked days of a New York summer, two girls on the brink of becoming women fall for the same guy and find that life isn't as simple or safe as they had thought. Starring Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Olsen, Boyd Holbrook, Demi Moore, Richard Dreyfuss, Ellen Barkin. For more information, visit www.sundance.org/festival. |