125th Fighter Wing Airmen sing for Salute to Service

by Master Sgt. Jaclyn Lyons
125th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/1/2015 - JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --
On a sunny, breezy afternoon this past Sunday, Senior Airmen Asia Bryant and Kaleigh Kozdras, and Staff Sgt. Carlynne Devine from the 125th Fighter Wing gathered in a tight semi-circle in front of the microphone and began to sing the Star Spangled Banner.

The crowd of 60,000 rose for the presentation of the National Anthem by the 125th FW trio and the unfurling of the American flag by military members across Everbank Field stadium. As the Airmen hit the last note, three jets flew overhead and the crowd erupted in thunderous applause as the Jacksonville Jaguars took the field to kick off their Military Salute to Service game.

Each of the airmen is known at the 125th Fighter Wing for their great voice and has sang many times for ceremonies around base themselves, they all have a background in singing ranging from school and church choirs, karaoke, to even cutting a record in Nashville.

A commander on base asked if they had ever thought about singing together and the three Airmen decided to practice and try it out. Their three-part harmony has now been heard around the 125th Fighter Wing at special ceremonies and family events.

When the Jaguars contacted the Florida National Guard to inquire if the if there was anyone that could sing in the Salute to Service, 1st Lt. Justin Phillips, deputy communications director, Florida Department of Military Affairs, immediately thought of the trio.

"For us to provide singers at the Jags game, in a town where there are more than 20,000 Navy personnel, is a strong testament for our relationship with this great city," Phillips said.

The women were all flattered and excited about the opportunity to represent the Air Force in the place they call home.

"Singing for a Jags game was actually on my bucket list," said Staff Sgt. Carlynne Devine. "But I never dreamed I'd get to do it in uniform, representing the 125th for the NFL team in my own back yard. It doesn't get much better than that!"

When the time came, the song went just as practiced and left the three Airmen with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Senior Airman Asia Bryant explained,

"Standing there on the field with my fellow airmen in uniform I was filled with pride and excitement, it's truly an honor to represent our unit, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force as a whole."