Tops in Blue visits AFTAC

Welcome back! Col. Chris Worley (left), commander of the Air Force Technical Applications Center, extends a warm handshake to Senior Airman Kerrilee Meeker upon her temporary return to her work center. Meeker has been traveling and performing with Tops in Blue, the U.S. Air Force's premier entertainment showcase, since March 2012 and was in town for a performance at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts. She and 20 of her fellow vocalists sang a few songs for AFTAC personnel and presented Worley with a token of appreciation for 'loaning' Meeker to the team for a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Susan A. Romano)

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Tops in Blue visits AFTAC

Twenty vocalists, including Senior Airman Kerrilee Meeker, (far left) of Tops in Blue paid a visit to the Air Force Technical Applications Center to sing a few songs from their repertoire and present the AFTAC commander with a plaque of appreciation for giving Meeker the opportunity to travel with the entertainment group for a year. “The men and women of AFTAC are an extremely talented group of people, and getting to see another facet of the rich talent that is within my organization is just such a treat,” said Col Chris Worley, AFTAC commander. “Airman Meeker has represented AFTAC across the globe and served as an ambassador for the Air Force." (U.S. Air Force photo by Susan A. Romano)

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Voices reverberate into words of thanks

Published Jan. 16, 2013
By Susan A. Romano
AFTAC Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A group of 20 vocalists from Tops in Blue paid a visit to the Air Force Technical Applications Center here Tuesday to sing a few songs from their repertoire and present a token of appreciation to the AFTAC commander.

Senior Airman Kerrilee Meeker, a systems control technician with AFTAC, has been traveling with the Air Force's premier entertainment showcase since March 2012. The troupe was in town to perform at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, and made a special trip to the base to perform for Meeker's co-workers, family and friends.

Capt. Ashley Elmore, officer in charge of this year's team, expressed her appreciation to everyone who came out to listen to the performance, and specifically thanked Meeker's supervisors for giving her the opportunity to be a part of the Air Force's 'talented amateur performers.'

"A lot of people think all we do is sing, dance, play instruments and travel," said Elmore, "but being a part of the team has a lot more 'behind the scenes' responsibilities. It's ironic - Kerrilee is the smallest member of our group. One of her responsibilities is to take care of the programs for each show, which is one of the heaviest jobs. Don't let her height fool you!"
After the singers' performance, Elmore presented AFTAC commander, Col. Chris Worley, with a plaque which, in part, read, "...Your unselfish vision of the needs of our personnel and their families stationed throughout the world is greatly appreciated."

Worley accepted the plaque and made a point of recognizing Meeker for her numerous accomplishments, including her past selection for senior airman below-the-zone and her recent selection for promotion to staff sergeant.

"The men and women of AFTAC are an extremely talented group of people, and getting to see another facet of the rich talent that is within my organization is just such a treat," said Worley. "Airman Meeker has represented AFTAC across the globe and served as an ambassador for the Air Force. I'm sure it's a part of her career that she will cherish for many years to come."

Tops in Blue visits AFTAC

Tops in Blue visits AFTAC