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It was 0715 and I was back on another airplane on the hot tarmac. It was
the third time in less than 18 hours that I had been out to a plane to receive
the earthly remains of a fallen soldier. The previous one had been about six
hours before so between getting chow, showering, and shaving, I had had
about four hours of sleep.
After I had briefed the passengers on what the Dignified Transfer would entail,
one passenger approached me and said, “This is the group Tops in Blue and
we have a song that I think would be appropriate to sing. Would it be okay?”
Amid the noise of the C-17’s onboard generator, I first thought that it would be
so loud that nobody would be able to hear it. I told him so and thanked him for
the thought, but later reconsidered. After all, even if we couldn’t hear it, the
singers might gain a good experience from it, so I said to go ahead.
The passenger called out to the singers. I couldn’t hear him as he gathered
them together at the foot of the flag-draped case. I could barely hear the tone
of the pitch pipe as one singer gave everyone their starting note which was
subdued—barely audible.
But somehow, as the voices swelled into the song, the words of “The Irish Blessing”
filled the plane and the whine of the generator faded into the background. The voices
did not drown out the noise. They were not loud, but they were powerful.
As the words, melody, and harmony reverberated in my ears and my chest,
I realized that they were not just singing. They were singing to the young man
on the cargo deck beneath his nation’s, their nation’s flag. They were pronouncing
a blessing more powerful than one I have ever given, and there is no doubt in
my mind that the soldier not only heard it, but received it and experienced its fullness.
When I looked up, I could not see a dry eye and more than one cheek had
shining tracks of tears down them. I had thought to give the singers a chance
to feel good, to feel that they were making a contribution. They were, and the
contribution was a blessing to me that exceeded anything I would have expected.
My body was tired, but my soul still rejoices and sings. The soldier now rests
in peace, but today I live in peace thanks to the gift of the singers.
- Chaplain Rives M. Duncan
386th AEW/HC
Al Mubarak Air Base
posted 08 July by Nicolette Biel- Thank you! It was so awesome to get to see your
performance in Cheynne Wy on the 4th of july! The show was astonishing.... Would
love to see you again. My familyand I want to thankyou for the service you and all troops
have and are still doing for our nation. Especially the joy that the entertainment brings.
There was laughter, smiles and lots of memories brought back. When will the
Tops in Blues be back to Colorado? Loved you Guys.. Praying for safe return for all.
posted 30 June by Ian Kelly - Best show I've seen of the Tops In Blue
Performances in Grand Forks and I've seen six of them. Great job everyone!
posted 15 June by Steve Spurlin-- Saw the show at Suisan City last night
...it was great! Thank you!!
posted 2 June by Linda Reyna-Cadena-- Thank You for the wonderful
show you put on in Abilene. It was great to see what ya'll do from start to finish.
I am still amazed!
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