Nine years....

        ....that's how long I was in the U.S. Air Force.  And Terra spent five. But for all the experiences, all the friends that came and went, hands down, the most rewarding was when we became part of the Tops in Blue family.

In 1986 we shared the joys and challenges that accompanied being part of the elite performing showcase of the Air Force.  Each tour has a theme--ours was the Liberty Cruise Tour. 

A Prior's dream....

        ....to say that you're exhausted after nearly a year on tour doesn't begin to tell the tale.  But it doesn't stop you from hitting "The Wall" about two weeks after getting off tour--constantly looking for the next bus, plane, boat to catch; anticipating setup or performance; what to do with all that extra time.  In our case, however, we got the call from the Chief to join other priors to work up some performances for the Lee Greenwood gig and for the Bob Hope Birthday Show at Pope AFB in 1987.

Singing "God Bless The USA" with Lee Greenwood makes the song (which has since become a regular part not only of Tops in Blue, but of many Air Force ceremonies) even more significant to us.  And though we worked very hard on the recording and filming of our segments for the Bob Hope Show, only one small piece was used because President Ronald Reagan arrived and was filmed giving his congratulations to Mr. Hope.  I suppose if you're going to end up on the cutting room floor, that's the best reason of all.  

It's all about family....

            ....what started in 1953 because of Maj Al Reilly, and has been driven by Mr. Tom Edwards (thanks, Chief!), has always been about entertaining and supporting Air Force members and their families.  In the process the cast and support teams themselves become a family.  Their shows rival anything you will ever see in any professional venue.  And it's all from the heart.  We love and miss our Tops in Blue family, whether they be the cast we toured with or those we've had the privilege of watching in other tours--and we look forward to each chance to see them.

God Bless, and Fair Skies to Tops in Blue!

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