Stars and Strips shine on stage

Valley Life editor

When the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus plays, they are used to being the center of attention. On Tuesday night at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex, however, there was a show stealer, and the groups were more than happy to share the stage.

Sgt. Tyler Hall, a 1999 Wasilla High School graduate who suffered near-fatal injuring while stationed in Iraq last year, was the honored guest.

At the end of the two-hour performance, Col. Finley Hamilton turned over his conductor's wand to Hall, who led the band in a spirited rendition of the "Stars and Strips Forever."

"I was joking with my brother that we saw on TV this guy came back from Iraq who was injured and got a parade," Hall said. "I told him, 'When's my parade?' I was completely joking, but this is better than any parade."

The band and chorus played before several thousand spectators who were waving U.S. flags -- flags there were made in the USA, organizers said. It marked the second time the groups have played in the Valley -- Alaska is the only place that is being repeated on the tour schedule, organizers said.

The band played rousing tunes, including selections from Tchaikovsky and John Philip Sousa.

After intermission, the Soldiers Chorus performed a Billy Joel songbook, getting the audience into the act with familiar tunes such as, "Tell Her About It" and "New York State of Mind."

MSgt. Janet Hjelmgen, a member of the Soldiers Chorus, also read a story about a son who is getting ready to leave for Afghanistan.

"Pray not only for the soldier, but also the son or daughter behind the uniform, and the family that loves them," Hjelmgen said. "He does not want to go, but it is his duty to go."

Also after intermission, two Colony High School seniors -- trombonist Jessica Lear and flutist Breanna Akens -- sat in with the band.

The two are hoping it's not the last time they do so, as they both enlisted in the U.S. Army after passing an audition for the U.S. Army Field Band.

There currently are no Alaskans in the band or chorus, but the two Colony seniors are trying to change that.

The concert was organized by the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce as part of the city's annual Salute to the Military event. Bert Hall has worked for months to put the concert together, and he was rewarded in a surprise makeshift ceremony.

"In the military, when someone does something good, we bring them up in front of everyone and put a medal on their chest," Hamilton told the crowd. "I found out I can do the same thing."

Hamilton then presented Hall with the Commander's Award for Public Service for his work.