Re-Creation performs at JBER Fisher House

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Re-Creation USA, a song-and-dance variety troupe based in Pennsylvania, performed at the Alaska Fisher House, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 9, 2016.

Re-Creation USA formed in 1976 and is composed of a group of young volunteer performers who provide entertainment to inpatient veterans. Their motto is, “Every veteran, every day,” but the performance Sept. 9, at which they entertained more than 27 families, marked their first at a Fisher House.

“I hope, at the end of the day, [veterans and their families] feel that the service they gave was valued and appreciated,” said Jenny Hall, manager of the Fisher House of Alaska. “Many of the people here are dealing with unexpected illnesses and injuries. It’s nice to not have to think about the hospital – to not have to think about illness or injury for this period of time.”

Re-Creation performs more than 300 shows annually, said Austin Keretzman, the group’s bass singer.

“About 180 of those shows are in [Veterans Affairs] medical centers and state veterans’ homes,” Keretzman said. “The remaining shows we perform at schools, fairs and churches.”

In a full variety show, Re-Creation cast members go through more than 100 costume changes, where dress styles span various eras and decades, Keretzman said.

“Because we are in Alaska and our base is in Pennsylvania, we were not able to bring our entire production with us,” Keretzman said. “But we will provide music from all different eras and patriotic songs. We also make sure there is time where we can go into the audience and personally thank the veterans for their service.”

Performing is the group’s way of thanking veterans for their service, Keretzman said. “[Sometimes] in these places, veterans feel as though they’ve been forgotten,” he said. “It’s our mission to remind them that they are still honored and respected.”

Following their performance, Re-Creation met with attendees and signed autographs.

“We’re all volunteers,” Keretzman said. “We give freely of our time because we understand the veterans have given so much more. All of our stories tend to be different on how we came to find Re-Creation, though a lot of us do have military connections in some way shape or form.”

The next day’s performance took the group to the state veteran’s home in Palmer. Each day brings a new performance and a new opportunity to brighten the spirits of America’s heroes.