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Circus Entertains, Honors Military Families
(April 2, 2010) |
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Master Sgt. Cameron Rogers, along with his wife Maggie and children Sam and Laine, receive a certificate from Magical Zingmaster Alex Ramon designating the Rogers family as guest ringmasters for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey "Zing Zang Zoom" circus performance March 26, 2010, at George Mason University's Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. Sergeant Rogers is the Air Force District of Washington's UH-1N helicopter program manager at Bolling Air Force Base,
D.C. U.S. Air Force photos by Jim Varhegyi |
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FAIRFAX, Va. (3/29/2010 - AFNS) -- The
military and the circus have a lot in common.
They both have people from around the nation and
assets from around the world. Both are highly
trained units that perform sometimes
unimaginable feats and handle unspeakable
logistical details in carrying out their
mission. And, most importantly, both share an
important priority: children.
On March 26, this priority was at the forefront
when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey honored
military families at a performance of its
traveling circus "Zing Zang Zoom" at a
performance at George Mason University's Patriot
Center here. Normally, a military family member
is chosen as guest ringmaster as part of April's
Month of the Military Child. This year an entire
family served as guest ringmasters in observance
of Year of the Air Force Family.
Master Sgt. Cameron Rogers, the Air Force
District of Washington UH-1N helicopter program
manager, and his family represented military
families around the world as the circus' guest
ringmasters. The 19-year Air Force veteran who
just returned from a year-long deployment to
Afghanistan said he was thrilled to be able to
share this special time with his wife, Maggie,
and |
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children, 10-year-old Sam and 5-year-old Laine. |
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The Air Force's top enlisted Airman acknowledged the Rogers'
presence and the circus' tribute to military families.
"It's good to see the Rogers family here at Ringling
Brothers...and it's good that this organization would
highlight the United States Air Force and the entire
military," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James
A. Roy.
Chief Roy said military appreciation events like this are
important because they highlight the sacrifices made by
military families around the world and bring public
awareness to their service.
"(It's important to know) the military families' service to
our nation's defense and the sacrifices these families
endure every single day," he said. "It's also important for
the rest of America to fully understand and, hopefully,
appreciate that."
He also mentioned the hope that, even with the Year of the
Air Force Family coming to an end, that the idea behind the
campaign will sustain.
"Truly, our priorities never change," Chief Roy said. "We're
here to take care of our servicemembers and their families.
This official designation as the Year of the Air Force
Family helped us focus our appreciation, foster a stronger
sense of community and heighten the relationships between
our service members and the local communities that support
our military installations. Now our hope is that this year
will never end and that the thoughts and intentions behind
it will endure and sustain."
The military made a strong showing in support of that goal,
with the audience standing for the national anthem while a
two-ton Asian elephant circled the floor and the Military
District of Washington Joint Color Guard presented the
colors. |
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| The Military District of Washington's Joint Color Guard present the flags as a two ton Asian elephant helps open the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey "Zing Zang Zoom" circus performance March 26, 2010, at George Mason University's Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. This particular performance was in honor of military families worldwide. U.S. Air Force photos by Jim Varhegyi |
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"I wasn't at all sure what to expect tonight," said Airman
1st Class Jacob Proffer, a member of the Air Force Honor
Guard. "But it has been so much fun interacting with the
kids and getting to represent the Air Force to all the
former military and veterans who are here tonight."
His Navy counterpart on the joint color guard agreed.
"I'm always honored to be a military representative and
remind people of how we help everyone in America by our
service," said Seaman Brooklyn Carpenter, from the Navy
Honor Guard. "But this is my first circus, and it's very
exciting to be here and see the animals, the performers and
the children. It's all amazing."
The crowd included a large audience of retirees, active-duty
service members, government civilians and families who
watched performances from clowns, elephants, tigers, dogs,
zebras, horses, acrobats, trapeze artists and a soaring
performance by a human cannonball.
"I am so proud to be working for (Ringling Bros. and Barnum
& Bailey) knowing that they honor families like this" said
Tina Miser, human cannonball and former Air Force reservist.
"Every time we're near a military installation, the company
does a great job of inviting the military and I'm always
saying 'include me!"
Mrs. Miser said she has nothing but good memories from her
six years military service and said it was a very hard
decision to make between remaining with the military or
"running away with the circus."
Either way, the performer spends a lot of time on the road,
with the circus travelling around the world for 46 weeks
each year.
"Frankly, we just love the military and appreciate our close
relationship with all the military services," said Art
Swift, event coordinator for the circus' public relations.
"It's important to us to give back to those who protect our
freedom, and it's really important to make sure kids are
having fun."
The circus' military appreciation night accomplished that
goal, according to the military children in attendance.
Chief Roy's 10-year-old twin boys, Caleb and Colby, said
they were honored to be at the event with their dad and
especially "excited to see the well-trained elephants."
Guest Ringmaster Maggie Rogers said her children's favorite
part was the specially trained dogs who performed tricks on
two legs, including jumping rope and diving from an elevated
platform. Her husband noted the fun everyone seemed to have.
"There's a smile on everybody's faces tonight," Sergeant
Rogers said. "On behalf of military children and families
everywhere, thank you." |
By USAF TSgt. Chyenne A. Adams
11th Wing Public Affairs
Copyright 2010 |
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Reprinted from
Air Force News Service
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