Band shows appreciation to communities
By ELOISE OGDENArticle Photos
RYDER AND SAWYER The 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base is showing its appreciation to area communities who support the wing's intercontinental ballistic missile mission with performances by the Air Force country/popular music ensemble Night Wing Sept. 4 in Ryder and Sept. 5 in Sawyer.
The performance in Ryder will be Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. in the bandstand in the Ryder Park. Hamburger and hotdogs with all the fixings will be provided in Ryder by the 741st Missile Squadron.
The performance in Sawyer will be Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. in the high school gym.
"I think it's really exciting for them to bring this type of talent to our small community and we hope everybody will come," said Debbie Peterson, who is handling the arrangements for the performance in Ryder.
"Both performances are free, open to the public and brought to Ryder and Sawyer courtesy of the 91st Missile Wing in appreciation for the communities' incredible support of the wing's ICBM mission," said Maj. Elizabeth Ortiz, chief of Public Affairs at Minot AFB.
"This marks the third year Night Wing will perform in the surrounding area. They're extremely popular around here," Ortiz said. "We hope people will mark their calendars and come out to Ryder or Sawyer and enjoy a super musical treat."
Night Wing, from Offutt AFB in Omaha, Neb., is one of the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band's ensembles.
Members of the group are: drums, Master Sgt. Douglas Montera; bass, Master Sgt. Lori Weber; guitar, Senior Airman Ryan Manzi; vocalist, Tech. Sgt. Lara Murdzia and Staff Sgt. Clint Whitney; and audio engineer, Senior Airman Joshua Voyles.
"Night Wing honorably represents more than 325,000 Air Force professionals around the world who diligently watch over the skies protecting and defending all those who cherish freedom," according to the USAF Heartland of America Band Web site. "Night Wing inspires audiences to increased patriotism and shares stirring accounts of the bravery and self-sacrifice of our expeditionary airmen serving around the globe."
