A Moving Musical Tribute to the United States Armed Forces Past and Present

11:30 a.m. Saturday May 21, 2005

Odyssey Restaurant

Granada Hills, CA

From the first gunshots of the Revolutionary War to the thundering cannon fire of the Civil War to boisterous celebrations after World War II to the heart-rending homecomings of the Vietnam War, Hillcrest Christian School’s Performing Arts Department will pay tribute to America’s service men and women in song, drama and dance.

            With the nation’s military currently engaged in a global war on terrorism, the more than 150 students involved in the school’s rapidly growing Performing Arts Department will honor the sacrifices members of the armed forces have made to advance the cause of freedom around the world.

            “The resounding theme is freedom,” said Galen Clark, Performing Arts Department coordinator. “Our plea to the audience is that we would all become an active voice on the steps of Washington through prayer, voting and getting involved in our communities.”

Event organizers plan a show that will include music from Grammy Award-winning recording artist Deniece Williams, a musical tribute to Bob Hope by Suzie Ewing, an original “Gold Digger,” who traveled with the legendary comedian and humanitarian on his USO tours to overseas military bases, Blake Ewing who has traveled across the television screen and stages coast to coast and dramatic portrayals of President Abraham Lincoln and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  A highlight of the extravaganza will be special recognition of local veterans from all branches of the military.

Students in the sixth- through twelfth-grade, who make up various choirs and instrumental ensembles, will take a star turn singing patriotic and inspirational songs that underscore the fact that the nation was founded on Christian principles.

“The greatest war that we are fighting today is the one to remove God from our land,” Clark said. “If you take out God, you take out the standard. If you take out the standard, you take out knowing the difference between right and wrong. Without knowing the difference between right and wrong, you have chaos.”

Before the show, guests will enjoy the comedy of Robert G. Lee, dine on a three-course meal and be invited to take part in a silent auction featuring 7-day vacations in Maui and Big Bear, a trip to a day spa and other luxury items.

Tickets for the event are $50 per person. Proceeds will benefit Hillcrest Christian School’s Performing Arts Department and the Veterans’ Hospital.