'Five For Fighting' to headline Edwards Air Force Ball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The modern rock band "Five For Fighting" is scheduled to perform during the Edwards Air Force Ball on Sept. 21. 

The band is known for the songs "Superman," "Hundred Years" and "Riddle."

Edwards Air Force Ball will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Air Force. 

The theme for the event is "Zero to Sixty and Still Accelerating," said Lt. Col. John Lopardi, 95th Medical Group deputy commander and one of the co-chairmen on the Air Force Ball committee. 

"This is one opportunity for people to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Air Force," said Lt. Col. Terry Stotler, 95th Medical Operations Squadron commander and Air Force Ball committee co-chairman.

Some of the Air Force's who's who will attend the event. 

Retired Brig. Gen. Charles "Chuck" Yeager will attend the ball for the commemoration of his breaking the sound barrier 60 years ago. 

Other distinguished visitors will include Maj. Gen. Joe Engle, X-15 astronaut; Lt. Col. Fitz Fulton, Korean War and Berlin Airlift veteran; and Col. David Scott, Apollo 15 astronaut. The distinguished visitors will board Edwards aircraft to perform a four-ship formation at 5 p.m. followed by a sonic boom to signal the start of the Air Force Ball. 

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne will provide the keynote address. 

Another up and coming singer, Mylin is scheduled to perform her songs. Her past Edwards' performances include the base's Fourth of July celebration. 

Capping off the rest of the entertainment is the Air Force Band of the Golden West, who will provide dance music for the rest of the night. 

"Trying to get these entertainers is no easy task, however, we will do everything we can to ensure we get great music and entertainment," Colonel Lopardi said. 

Colonel Stotler said tickets are already sold out. More than 800 people are expected to attend.

"It is going to be a great evening," Colonel Stotler said. "Our decorations committee has done a wonderful job of coming up with a plan to transform it into a suitable gala venue." 

Static displays of real aircraft and scale model aircraft used in the movie "Transformers" will grace the hangar. 

For catering, the committee contracted the "Bedazzled Catering Company" based out of Anaheim, Calif. Overall cost for the catering company is $37,000 for 800 people. 

For souvenirs, attendees will receive four gifts including a souvenir wine glass, Air Force Ball coin, a commemorative booklet and a book entitled "Edwards, Then and Now" from the History Office. 

"The ball will feature outstanding top-quality entertainment," Colonel Stotler said. "This event is going to be amazing."