How do I begin to write about such an incredible weekend?
We've been anticipating this huge, eventful weekend for months now. So much time, work, preparation, talking, advertising, and anticipating has gone into this event! It's been such a busy, exciting few months and now it was finally here.
The 4 day event started on Friday night. The choir was putting on a gala dinner at a very classy banquet room at a local university. The kids were so excited. This was the first performance that they'd be in their formal wear and they were to perform to an audience of about 300 people.
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| One part of the room and the guests |
This was a pretty big deal! Sonny Melendrez, a local San Antonio radio celebrity, was the emcee for the night. This was a full, catered dinner. Official programs were made with the kids pictures in them-- along with a little bio about each singer. there were silent auction items to bid on; songs to sing; people to wow; money to raise! This was the night!
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| Here is Makenna and her friends Abbie and Riley before the big performance. |
Well, the night was awesome! The kids sang beautiful and did wow the crowds. In fact, they stunned the crowds by their sound!
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| The official program. The kids felt like celebrities! |
Col. Halvorsen was the guest speaker and he told his story about the Berlin Airlift. If you don't know this story, there are several places to find out more and learn about this remarkable story of service and love and the power of one person. This story will change your life.
This video from BYUtv is a great one to watch to help educate yourself.
Video of the Candy Bomber
This book was put out by Deseret Book about Col. Halvorsen. It is a beautiful book with beautiful illustrations and actual pictures from the Berlin Airlift. It also has a DVD that recounts his performance with Tom Brokaw and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is well worth the money!! A treasure your family will love and a great history lesson about WWII.
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| Excellent book! |
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| This man is 93 years old, walking around on stage with a wireless mic! He was so energetic! |
An exciting part of the evening was when Sonny brought up 2 women from the audience. These 2 women had heard about the event and sought the choir out to be able to come becuase they were children in Berlin at the time of the Air Lift! What a surprise for Col. Halvorsen! He was so taken aback and was overwhelmed!
These 2 women took a few minutes to speak and talked about how much hope Col. Halvorsen gave them. One said, He saved my life because he gave me hope. Before him, I had no hope." It was awesome!
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| McKay looking dapper in his awesome tux |
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| Connor hammin' it up in his tux! |
This is a moment we will never forget. After the program was over, the kids gathered and formed a line by Col. Halvorsen. They wanted him to sign their programs. And he did! He signed everything anyone asked him too. And McKay gave him a hug. Now if you know McKay, you know he loves to give hugs, if you are deemed worthy of a hug. Col. Halvorsen is DEFINITELY hug worthy, so McKay went in for the kill. Col. Halvorsen warmly embraced him.
On the way home that night, McKay said,
"Mom, today was the best day of my life.
I got to hug a true hero."
I was so grateful for this realization in his young 10-year old mind. When the world is so focused on movie stars, pop stars, and professional sports players he could see this 93-year old veteran as a true, real hero.
It was a night to never forget. We went to sleep with our minds full of wonder and awe and excitement for the day that lay ahead of us.
1 comment:
What a great gift the experiences you are having with this choir! I truly think it is one of the reasons you were inspired to make the move that you did. Great post, can't wait to see the rest.
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