Amy Parks-Heath Starlight Singers present Korean War-themed USO Show

(ROCKWALL, TX – Feb. 7, 2017) The Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School Starlight Singers presented their 18th Annual USO Dinner, Dance and Show this past weekend at Cain Middle School (6620 FM 549).

This year’s show featured music from the Korean War, a focus of study for the 6th graders comprising the Starlight Singers. Members from all five branches of the U.S. Military were recognized during both performances on Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4.

Prior to the show, the Starlight Singers waited tables and served up a delicious dinner provided by Chiloso’s Mexican Bistro and Grill. Show DJ Chris Hail invited folks to the dance floor as he played some of the most popular tunes of the Korean War era.

A fun trivia also tested everyone’s knowledge of the Korean War:

What year did the Korean War begin?
1950

What actor was the first person from Oklahoma to be drafted into the Korean War?
James Garner

How many miles of paved road existed in Korea, combining North and South Korea?
Less than 50 miles

What famous war general was removed as Commander in Chief of the Korean War?
General Douglas MacArthur

What does M.A.S.H. stand for?
Mobile Army Surgical Hospital

In the TV series about the Korean War called M.A.S.H., three nurses were given the names of Able, Baker and Charlie. Do you know the reason why?
These names stem from the phonetic alphabet used by the military and HAM operators during the Korean War. In that time, the letters A, B, and C in the phonetic alphabet were Able, Baker, and Charlie. Since then, the standard has been updated and A and B are now Alpha and Bravo.

The USO Show is the brainchild of Amy Parks-Heath Music Director Jan Stonestreet, who has served the school throughout its 20-year history. Stonestreet has always incorporated patriotism, world awareness, and history in her teaching, and in 1999 she decided to give students an opportunity to put their knowledge and talent to use in a musical production that honors men and women of the U.S. military.