Memoirs of a singer

(Tech. Sgt. Paula Goetz is a Vocalist and NCOIC, commander's support staff, of the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia.)

As a seasoned vocalist in the USAF Regional Bands career field, I have been called upon to sing our nation’s national anthem countless times, I daresay hundreds of times during my military career thus far. This short, one-minute tribute to our heritage and way of life has always given me a deep personal sense of pride and patriotism. Additionally, I am fortunate to be stationed overseas in Japan at Yokota AB, where this ceremony is extended to include the singing of our host nation’s national anthem, “Kimigayo”. This past week I experienced one of the most rewarding performances I have ever given when I was joined in singing Japan’s national anthem in a surprising way.

On August 20, 2010, the base hosted a joint tour of a special group of people that have a very unique connection to the history of what is now Yokota Air Base...
The group of approximately 45 people ranged in age from 80-94 years old, and was comprised of former Japanese Imperial Army Service members and base workers from the 1940-1950s, who were taking part in commemorating the 70th year of the base’s history.

All of us were gathered together in the conference room at the 374 AW Headquarters building; military, civilian, and Japanese guests alike, to attend the introduction to the day’s planned pleasantries. I took my place in preparation to sing. My spot was near the flags of both countries, the “star-spangled banner” of the USA, and the “hinomaru” (“sun disk”) of Japan, which were posted side by side at the front. The room was filled to capacity with a sea of expectant faces all turned toward me. As I had done many times before in the last year since I had arrived in country, I followed the cue from the narrator and began to sing "Kimigayo". Unlike all those other times, however, this time all the special guests in attendance immediately began to sing along in unison. “Kimigayo” is traditionally dictated to be sung in a slower, solemn and dignified manner, but this time I truly felt the meaning behind this intent as our guests and I sang each phrase together in solidarity. Throughout the room, a palpable feeling of awe and appreciation steadily grew for the contributions of these Japanese men and women through WWII and beyond that was reflected in each successive line that was sung. I could not help it as my smile grew as well, until we reached the end and stood in a brief silence of mutual understanding and camaraderie.

I was vividly reminded of the stoic and patriotic demeanors of our own American veterans at many of the ceremonies and official functions I had witnessed in the past, and was mentally and physically connected, right then and there, to the full meaning behind the words of our PACAF leaders I had heard time and time again: our aim was to strengthen our relationship with our neighbors in Japan, fortify those friendships, and thereby help protect the Pacific, ensuring peace and advancing freedom in the region.

It was hard to imagine that seventy years before, this very place was constructed for the waging of war between our two countries. But those days and endeavors had been re-forged, in part by the efforts of those that were present in the room that day. Their immense appreciation for this seemingly small gesture of good will, the singing of their national anthem right next to our own, will be cemented in my mind for the rest of my tour here among our gracious Japanese friends, and I know will remain a highlight of my entire career.