Tops in Blue rocks Wichita

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Squadron
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  For more than 50 years, Tops in Blue has traveled the world to entertain military service members and their families.

The Tops in Blue 2011 tour, "Rhythm Nation," stopped in Wichita, Kan., Jan. 4, 2012, for a performance at Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center.

Their mission, according to their official website, is to provide quality entertainment from within Air Force resources for the Air Force family, with priority to Air Force personnel stationed worldwide at remote and deployed locations.

"We've seen Tops in Blue many times over the years and the faces have changed," said Donna Morrissey. "But the quality has stayed the same."

Morrissey attended the performance with her father, two children and husband, Tech. Sgt. Kevin Morrissey, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Command Post command and control systems NCO in charge.

The performance was the Morrissey's fifth time seeing Tops in Blue, and the first time at a show held off base and open to the public. With the foremost mission of meeting the needs of the Air Force, Tops in Blue performs many shows on military installations where civilians are not permitted.

It's nice that the opportunity was there for the public to see the show, said Sergeant Morrissey.

Nearly 3,000 Team McConnell Airmen and Wichita-area residents attended the free show.

"This day in age with worries and tension, a program like this is super," said retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Richard Theisen. "It kind of makes you forget about it all."

The tradition of musical, theatrical and comedic performances for service members has been longstanding with America's military. While serving in Vietnam, Theisen had the opportunity to see Bob Hope.

It was more like hearing Bob Hope. There were so many of us and we were so far away from the stage, said Theisen.

Theisen went on to say that it is programs with dedicated performers, like Tops in Blue, that can be good promotion for the military and a means to unite the country.

For veterans, family members, civilians and junior enlisted alike, Tops in Blue is a one-of-a-kind musical performance.

"I wasn't sure what to expect when I showed up," said Airman 1st Class Alexander Herschbach, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and construction equipment journeyman. "But by the end of the show I was very impressed."