Band performers help Kunsan, community ring in holiday

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The faces of Airmen across the 8th Fighter Wing and citizens in the nearby community brightened as they were treated to performances on base and at Gunsan City Hall by a Pacific Air Forces band group Dec. 17.

The five Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia's Pacific Trends ensemble, stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan, sang, danced and played their way into the holiday spirits of Wolf Pack Airmen and Gunsan City citizens alike.

The performances began at the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's 35th and 80th Aircraft Maintenance Units on Kunsan.

"It was really nice having a little Christmas cheer," said Airman Robert Sorie, 8th AMXS. "The music, snacks, and encouragement were very helpful. If we can't be home for Christmas, it was great knowing that people do care, and were kind enough to give of their time to come and visit us for awhile."

The ensemble then traveled to Gunsan City Hall to perform for the Korean citizens.

"Thank you for the warming performance," said Cha Sup-Yoon, Gunsan City Hall chief of construction. "It was a very good performance, I loved it. Thank you for coming the long distance from Japan, and I am looking forward to the performance next year."

Master Sgt. Gary Rosenak, guitar player and NCO in charge of Pacific Trends, said the group enjoys traveling to Japan and Korea to experience the food and culture, play music and help increase the friendship between the U.S. and Asian countries.

"My favorite part about coming over here was watching people and seeing their faces change as we started to play more," said Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Packard, group vocalist. "If there was a song that they recognized, even if they were singing it in Korean, they joined in, and it was a unified effort. It just shows that music is a universal language, and it's incredible to see."

Staff Sgt. Mike Schmaus, bass player, said he was amazed to hear a Korean civilian, who during their visit to Osan Air Base, ROK, said that one of his warmest memories was seeing Americans playing music when he was a child.

"It really kind of brings home the perspective of what we do as musicians, and how powerful a message that is, that someone who is older remembers that as one of his warmest memories between U.S. and Korea relations," he said. "So that was pretty fascinating to hear him say that."