Soldier Show preaches Army Strong motto

The 2012 U.S. Army Soldier Show brought tears and laughter to the faces of a capacity-filled audience in Wallace Theater Friday.

The show hit on specific themes related to a Soldier’s life — from returning home to a spouse after a deployment to the sweat and grind of basic training.

The group of handpicked Soldiers highlighted the show’s theme "Army Strong" through various forms of rapping, singing and dancing.

Several audience members left Wallace Theater raving about the quality of the show.

"It made me proud to be a Soldier," said Sgt. Monique Maddox, Human Resource Command, human resources specialist. "Those performers are some of the biggest rock stars I know."

Among the attending servicemembers were U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Lloyd Austin III; Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter, Installation Management Command commander and Installation Management assistant chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, Commander, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington commanding general; and Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Gregory Gadson.

As part of the show, Lloyd and Ferriter presented achievement awards to Army World Class Athlete Program Soldiers who competed and coached in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Sgt. Vincent Hancock, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit shooting instructor, was one of the Soldiers who received an award. Hancock won the gold medal for skeet shooting in the 2012 and 2008 games.

"It’s a great feeling to be able to serve my country on more than just one front," Hancock said. "It’s truly an honor to have shared the stage with the Soldier Show performers."

The 2012 Army Soldier Show is celebrating its 29^th season. This year featured 37 Soldiers performing and operating 65 shows that provide entertainment and a morale boost to Soldiers and Families at 37 Army garrisons.

The theme for the 2012 Soldier Show, "Army Strong," symbolizes the strength of the Army’s Soldiers in everyday life.

The show’s performers illustrated the theme using various remixes of popular music. The group performed choreographed dances while singing songs such as Christina Aguilera’s Fighter and It’s Hard Knock Life theme from Annie.

"I don’t know how these guys and gals could move like they did," said Doxandra McCaw-Cook. "They must have a good chiropractor."

The show also touched on emotionally charged topics such as young recruits leaving home to join the service.

Janet Conrad, Family Medicine of Lake Ridge nurse, found one scene especially moving. A Soldier Show performer portrays a son whose father has deployed. The 10-year-old boy has to bear the responsibility of caring for his Family.

"He doesn’t get a childhood," said Conrad as tears ran down her face.

Conrad and McCaw-Cook agreed the show was a moving experience.

"It made everyone feel proud to be part of the Army," McCaw-Cook said.

Spc. Whitney Jones, Soldier Show performer, said it feels good to have a positive impact on audience members.

"It just feels good to influence people," she said. "You can’t imagine how you can touch someone through music."

The Army selects new performers each year to travel to different installations. Jones, who has performed in talent shows since the age of 10, called performing as a Soldier Show cast member a blast and a humbling experience. The 2012 cast has two more shows before the tour’s conclusion. Jones hopes to conclude by influencing more people.

"Every audience deserves to see your best, because they may never see you again," Jones said. "They deserve it."