Carolyn Hoffman was singing for her son, serving in Afghanistan.
Roy Bill was singing for his buddies who never came back from Vietnam.
Evolution Dance kicked up their heels for Yankee Doodle while the Travelin’ Shoes cloggers danced with Uncle Sam and The Villages Drill Team paid tribute to its late founder, Connie Waldron.
Put them all together and you have part of the July 4th patriotic spirit that resonated through La Hacienda Recreation Center on Friday night. It was all part of the monthly “Showcase of Talent” program.
“This a special night, and we’re to honor our veterans and our country,” said Diana Arlt, who with her husband Joe, hosts the monthly talent shows.
Hoffman was honoring her son, John for his service to America. She sang “Requiem for a Soldier,” which Hoffman first heard on the HBO television series, “Band of Brothers.”
“They only played the instrumental part,” Hoffman said. “I had to look up the words. I want to sing this song tonight for John, because it means so much. I am so proud of my son.”
Watch video of the night’s performers:
Roy Bill came of age in the mid ‘60s, during the build-up for the Vietnam War. He was in college and was not drafted, but many of his friends were. “Too many of them died in Vietnam; tonight I’m singing for them,” said Bill, who performs locally with Vinyl Recall and also the Beatlemaniacs club.
Bill sang the Lee Greenwood standard, “God Bless the USA.”
As soon as Bill hit the first notes, the crowd rose to its
feet and started singing with him. “I didn’t go to Vietnam but tonight I’m thinking of all my friends who did, especially the ones who didn’t come back.”
Such thoughts filled the program. The show started with Marc Rhoades, who sang “This Is My Country,” as he introduced military veterans in the audience.
There were more military honors as the Travelin’ Shoes Cloggers took the stage, dancing to “Great Defenders.” On stage Tom Lyons represented the Marines; Stanley Martin, Army; Armando Ocampo, Navy and Bob Grable, Air Force. And let’s not forget every American’s favorite uncle, played by Leo Bitz in a flashy red, white and blue outfit.
A couple of kids nearly stole the show. Dashiell and Ava Haga journeyed from San Francisco to visit their Grandma, Diana Arlt. The little kids brought some cool vibrations to a cover of Fall Out Boy’s “Centuries.” The song was so cool, a bunch of Villagers were spotted looking up Fall Out Boy on their smart phones.
“I like being her with Grandma,” Ava said, who came with her mother, Apryl and dad Robert. “She’s nice and it’s fun to sing.”
Diana Arlt then offered a spirit-lifting combination of “I Believe/You’ll Never Walk Alone.” It was powerful.
So was Dave Maurer, making like Elvis on “American Trilogy” and Ray Leggiero brought back a Frank Sinatra 1940s’ chestnut, “The House I Live in.”
Irene Pierce turned back time on a soft and nostalgic World War II number, “PS I Love You.” Ray Stanish sang the old folk song, “Oh Shenandoah,” with heartfelt sincerity. Jim Beddia had some country fun and gave a history lesson with the Johnny Horton hit, “The Battle of New Orleans.
Dick Stevens captured the mood of the evening with “Some Gave All” and Frank Marchitelli brought some tough Merle Haggard sounds to “Fightin’ Side of Me.”
The Evolution Dance ensemble tapped their way through a delightful “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” If you missed it, you can catch them July 1 at 3 and 7 p.m. in the Savannah Center for their “Flags, Freedom and Fireworks” show.
Also, Angela Ferrigno and Armando Ocampo brought home the feelings of separation by a military wife waiting for her husband with a dance number, “A Thousand Years.”
The Village Drill Team closed the program with a rousing salute to the Armed Forces and also led the packed room in singing “God Bless America.”
The Drill Team dedicated the number to Connie Waldron, who founded the group in 1989. Waldron died last month. “We remember her with thanks for bringing us together,” the Drill Team stated. “This one’s for you, Connie.”
