Liberty Bells Visit 927th Members

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Three members of the Liberty Bells, the only chartered United Services Organization show troupe, performed for the 927th Air Refueling Wing Friday, September 7, 2012. The trio were in Tampa for the opening of the USO Tampa Bay, and made time in their schedule to serenade members of the wing with modern and classic tunes.

Wearing uniforms that harkened back World War II-era styles, Heidi-Marie Ferren, Joanna Howard, and Alix Paige sang together and solo to the gathered members of the wing.
The Liberty Bells, based in New York, are comprised of broadway and off-broadway performers who tour the world singing for military members and veterans. Their recent show in the base theater featured songs from the 1940s to the present. For the servicemembers and civilians who attended the free show here, it connected the USO to all of them.

"In the beginning, the Liberty Bells gave us an overview of what the USO is and where it came from," said Master Sgt. Dave Shaffer, superintendent of the 927th Communication section.
"Many of the young troops don't know about the USO and what it can do for you. I've used their facilities many times and it was always a great experience."

Shaffer commented that it takes a vivid and dramatic entertainment to reach the younger troops today. The audience stood multiple times when the trio sang patriotic songs or service
songs.

The performance ended on a popular song, "Proud To Be An American," by Lee Greenwood.

"It was very patriotic, from the outfits through the song selections," Shaffer added. "Ending it on Proud To Be An American was fantastic."

Comprised of 21 members, the Liberty Bells perform more than 200 shows a year around the world.