Service with a song: 433 TRS MTI proudly sings for service and country

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 433rd Airlift Wing
SAN ANTONIO --  She stands upright and proud, eyes gazed at "Ole Glory." A crowd of hundreds of baseball fans rise to their feet. The silence in the stadium is her cue. She raises the microphone to her lips and begins her first ever singing performance at a public sporting event.

Technical Sergeant Hilary Reyes, a 433rd Training Squadron military training instructor, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the opening ceremony of the San Antonio Missions Military Appreciation Night, which took place July 20, at Nelson Wolff Stadium.

"Having the opportunity to perform the national anthem at a public event like this one is my way of showing others how proud I feel to be an American, who is afforded the luxury of displaying my love of country through such a beautiful and expressive way," said the 4-foot, 10-inch reservist NCO.

"As an MTI I have told trainees that we are in our own way recruiters, and we should always do all we can to exemplify our core values, most especially, 'excellence in all we do,' because our actions are a direct reflection of how those who do not serve in a military capacity perceive us. When we are wearing that uniform we should always be conscience of how others respond and I have yet to receive negative feedback. Quite the contrary, I am overwhelmed by the positive and encouraging words."

It appears Sergeant Reyes will continue to be without negative feedback, at least when it comes to the opinion of one four-star general.

"Tech. Sgt. Reyes sang our national anthem brilliantly during the pre-game ceremonies for the Missions game. She represented our United States Air Force well and the crowd certainly showed its appreciation for her talents. I am sure she will have many more opportunities to showcase her talent," commented Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Education and Training Command commander, who threw out the first pitch during the game's opening ceremony.

Although singing the national anthem at the Mission's game may have been her first time singing at a public sporting event, Sergeant Reyes is no rookie when it comes to singing in front of others.

Reyes has been performing since elementary school. She received formal vocal lessons at the University of Heidelberg Musik and Sing Schule (music and voice school) when she moved to Germany. There she was afforded opportunities to perform at German festivals, and later travelled to the Soviet Union as a member of a vocal troupe.

Her experience and skills as a singing performer were further enhanced after she entered the Air Force. She quickly made her talent known by earning the title of AETC Female Vocalist of the Year in 1993. She's competed several times for Tops in Blue and made the team twice, but was unfortunately not able to tour with the group due to manning constraints.

Reyes's passion for singing would not be curtailed despite not being able to tour internationally with Tops in Blue.

While stationed at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, wing leadership requested she perform at a dinner party designed to foster relations with the local community.

"That ended up being a night of karaoke and it was really nice to see how music brings nations together," said Reyes.

Reyes continued to boost her international singing resume by being the opening act for the American contemporary rock band, Hootie and the Blowfish, while she was deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch.

Reyes said the Mission's game was exciting for her and although she's performed at large and more notable events throughout her 19-years of military service, she said still gets a great sense of satisfaction performing at smaller events such as retirement ceremonies.

"It is so humbling when my fellow Wingmen personally request for me to perform at retirements. I know no other way to honor an individual, l who has given so much of their life -and their family's life- to serve their country. I don't feel it's me doing a favor for them, I see it as my way of thanking them," concluded Tech. Sgt. Reyes.