Edwards' songster continues troop support at Sky Ball IX

  • Published
  • By Mike Strickler
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  In traditional tales of black-tie balls military heroism rarely makes the storyline. So when the one she attended Oct. 22 included more than 17 Medal of Honor awardees, Maj. Jennifer Housholder made sure her Army Service uniform trumped the evening gown for the occasion.

Presented by American Airlines and the Fort Worth Airpower Council, Sky Ball IX brought together entertainment headliners and more than 5,000 attendees to celebrate the military of America and support those who had borne the battle to keep her free.

As an entertainer well known among the circle of performers who support the military, Housholder, a radar lead engineer for the 419th Test Squadron, accepted American Airlines invite to come to Fort Worth, Texas, to perform her songs along with country music star Clint Black and Apollo 13 actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band.

The goals of the ninth annual event included adding to the more than $1.5 million raised since 2007 to support veterans and their families, and commemorating the 150-year anniversary of the Medal of Honor.

"All I can say about the weekend is, WOW!" said Housholder, who sang before a special Clint Black concert for military members and their families. "I was surrounded by greatness -- so many amazing people with big hearts, grand ideas to serve, and heroism. I really felt affirmed in what I am trying to do and people liked and responded to my music."

Housholder performed four times during the event, singing of her times while deployed with the U.S. Army as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot and about the military experience in war. Other entertainers, including Black, Tony Orlando, The Lt. Dan Band with Gary Sinise, The Phil Vandel Band, Helene Cronin, and Matt Snook, brought their own experiences and admiration for the military to the stage, and helped raise more than $1 million dollars over the weekend.

According to American Airlines and the FWAPC the funds will be applied to charities like The Snowball Express, whose mission is to create new hope and memories for the children of fallen military heroes that have served since 9/11.

Among the attendees were 17 Medal of Honor recipients, who were honored throughout the weekend.

"Every single one I met was incredibly humble and would say 'it was no big deal,'" said Housholder. "Of course we all knew it was and is a big deal, and we honored them for their heroism."

Housholder's music is dedicated to America's military and touches on difficult issues common to service like deployments and family separations, reintegration and posttraumatic stress. Her music and a DVIDS profile of Housholder can be found on iTunes, as well as on her Hous Band website at http://hous-band.com.