By Eugenio Torrens
David Groomes wheeled around to face Barbara Friedman, his mother-in-law, and screamed at her to stop the song.
“It’s one of those juicy pleasures, 80 percent of it’s not real,” he said about the chance to yell at his mother-in-law.
But Friedman kept at the piano, tapping out “The Song That Goes Like This” from Spamalot.
Groomes, his wife Rebecca, Friedman and several others were part of a veterans’ tribute concert held at Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel on Saturday. He sang “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” and “Bring Him Home,” in addition to others.
“They both talk about the sacrifices that the men and women of the armed forces make,” Groomes said. “And with ‘Brother Can You Spare a Dime,’ it also brings home the struggles we have right now with money.”
Aimed to raise awareness for homeless troops, the concert brought together singing acts of all ages — from 17-year-old vocalist John Campbell to organizer Dolores Riego de Dios, who has studied music for more than 30 years.
“It’s great to be able to give back to people who have done so much for our nation,” Campbell said. “I’ve never done a benefit concert before, so it’s definitely a new experience.”
Campbell sang “You Raise Me Up,” “War at Home,” the French-themed “Those Canaan Days,” and “God Bless the USA,” near the end of the concert, during which the audience rose to its feet.
During the concert’s intermission, there was a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. Items auctioned included a six-month YMCA family package and gift certificates to a golf and country club.
The aucion and raffle benefitted the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills. The concert raised close to $7,000 according to Riego de Dios. After expenses, which included catering, printing, insurance and the sound system, the event raised $4,025.
“That’s pretty good,” she said.
Riego de Dios had been planning the event for almost a year. She took time during the performance to give thanks to Richard Kimmel, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Pasco Veterans Council. Riego de Dios, whose husband is a veteran, also had a color-guard presentation prior to the start of the concert.
With the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks fast approaching, remembering the attacks was something the performers noted.
“It was very apropos to turn everybody’s focus back to the military and veterans, thinking back to 9/11,” Rebecca Groomes said. “We had a specific focus on that, so we didn’t mention that specifically.”
Tyler Gay, 15, was one of the rifle-bearers during the color-guard presentation. A three-year Civil Air Patrol member, Gay — just 5 when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred —said it was an honor to present the colors.
“It stands for what we’ve been fighting for, for the past 250 years,” he said.
The proximity of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks wasn’t wasted on Riego de Dios either.
“That’s why I had brought in the color guard,” she said. “Our country, right now, needs all of our people to come together as one. Never mind the bickering, and the differences of opinion and what have you. We need to come together and be one great nation again.”
