Mike Parker: SALUTE! Tribute Show honors veterans
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, the auditorium lights will dim and the stage lights will come up in force as the SALUTE! Tribute Show kicks off a high-energy show to honor area veterans.
This year marks 23 years after the first show held in 2001, the brainchild of Ted Sampley and Mary Beth Dawson. That show featured none other than Adrian Cronauer, a U.S. Air Force Sergeant and radio personality whose experiences as an innovative disc jockey on American Forces Network served as the inspiration for the 1987 movie “Good Morning, Vietnam.”
After the show, my wife Sandra and I had the privilege of eating at the same table as Cronauer in a reception held to honor him. He was amiable and good-natured. I asked him how much truth was in the movie, loosely based on his experiences in Vietnam.
“Well,” he said. “My name is Adrian Cronauer – and I did serve in Vietnam.” We were all stunned for a second – and then burst into laughter. “Good Morning, Vietnam” was not exactly a biopic or documentary.
This year’s edition of the Tribute Show offers Allan Hoffman. Hoffman spent more than 42 years in broadcast news, working at stations across the country. He retired as a News Anchor at WNCT-TV after 27 years on air Down East.
Hoffman was a combat helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, flying more than 2,000 missions. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star for Valor, Air Medal for Valor, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He has been an active advocate for veterans’ issues over the years.
Hoffman is likely to have his hands full as more than 40 performers ranging in age from six to 70 take the stage to honor our veterans.
Some talents to light up the stage include Anchored, Tanglewood Church’s student choir, and the church quartet. A chorus from Hope Preparatory School, which meets at the First Baptist Church facilities, will sing “On Veterans Days.” These students range in age from six to 12.
Sandra Fisher will bring her talents to the stage to perform “River Deep” and “She Used to Be Mine.” Suzanne Gallaher will sing her rendition of “Keep Us Safe.” Debbie Johnson will perform “Letters from War.” Singer/songwriter Mark Schultz said he wrote the song in honor of his great-grandmother’s sons. All three of her boys went to fight in World War II. Her two older sons came home a short time later, but her youngest son served until the war ended.
Others lending their time and talent to the show include Turner White from Campbell University and Wilmington resident Allura Cummings, the daughter of Kinston’s Dr. Richard Cummings. Students from Dance Etc. will perform four numbers for the show. The students range in age from eight to 17.
One of the highlights will be the SALUTE! Singers. Members of this group include Debbie Johnson, Suzanne Gallaher, Alexis Towne, Wayne Bryan, Donald Mooring, and Ron Raines. Members of the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces will join the SALUTE! Singers.
Another special part of the show will be a PowerPoint presentation featuring area veterans. G. I. Joe’s Living History Museum will also sell raffle tickets for a beautiful hand-made wooden United States flag.
“I hope the community will come out and support this show,” said Mary Beth Dawson. “All those involved with the show are donating their time, energy, and talent to honor our veterans. You can honor our veterans by your presence.”
The show is free – and the doors open at 6 p.m. – so get there early.
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