WASHINGTON - The United States Army's Spirit of America performance paid tribute to first responders during its opening performance the evening of Sept. 11, 14 years after the attacks on the Pentagon, World Trade Center and Flight 93.
Hundreds gathered inside the D.C. Armory for the free, two-hour patriotic show that took them through the nation's history from the American Revolution to the present day. The crowd gave a warm welcome when it was announced that first responders from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia were also in attendance.
"Those guys run in when everyone else is running out," said Richard Simpson, a Marine veteran who lives in Alexandria, Va.
Sgt. Derrick W. Anderson, Honor Guard Company, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), also received a standing ovation after the crowd learned how he fought back from devastating injuries he received while serving in Afghanistan and made good on his vow to stay in the Army.
"Since I was wounded in Afghanistan, I never gave up on wanting to be a Soldier or serving on active duty, and the Army never gave up on me," he said. "I am honored to serve my country and grateful for the opportunity that I have every day to serve with the extraordinary men and women that make up our Army."
Soldiers from The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" and 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) serve as the show's cast and crew and took the audience on a journey from Paul Revere's famous ride telling American colonists that the "British are coming" to today's battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. Four Caisson Platoon horses also took part in the performance, to the delight of 10-year-old Shalimar Colson of Washington, D.C.
"They were my favorite," she said. "I want to ride one of them."
James Fitzgerald of Washington, D.C., was especially moved during the part of the show that depicted the Civil War, when two Soldiers, one from the South and the other from the North, came together to shake hands in a gesture that portrayed the end of the war.
"This nation is like a big family," he said. "It was great to see that."
Spirit of America will next be performed in Fairfax, Va., Sept. 18 and 19 at the Eagle Bank Stadium. For more information, visit www.spiritofamerica.mdw.mil or call 1-866-239-9425.
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