MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MAY 5TH AND 6TH, 2025 – THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE AUTUMN KINGS AND CHAPEL HART VARIETY TOUR TO SOUTH KOREA:

Another early morning flight!  At least I grabbed 1 ½ hours sleep before getting up at 2 am to prepare for a 4:00 am departure to the airport.  Today the great Canadian rock group Autumn Kings and the amazing country group Chapel Hart will fly to South Korea for performances compliments of Gary and the Gary Sinise Foundation.  We will be visiting Kunsan Air Base, Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base – in that order.  Osan Air Base is hosting their first Air Show since the COVID lockdown and will open the gates to the public.  They are expecting 50,000 to come through during the two day event.  I am so honored that we can be a part of this significant celebration because of Gary’s support.

I arrived at the airport at 4:15 am with a “meet” time of 4:30 am for the Chapel Hart group.  Some of the group had arrived earlier – one had spent the night in the airport after having flown in from a show that night – and had already gone through Security to the gate.  Everyone else was close to being on time and we didn’t have any issues checking in.  But, once again James (who handles Production for GSF on all the tours) did not have TSA Pre-Check on his boarding pass.   It is a never ending mystery as to why we cannot get that corrected.  I believe we now know the issue and hopefully he will have it on the flight home.  We were able to get everyone into the Lounge for a few minutes prior to our on-time departure.  Most of the group passed out on the hour and a half flight but I worked because I knew I would be giving up WiFi on the long flight to Seoul later in the morning.

We arrived Detroit on time and Autumn Kings were just beginning to check in.  They live in the Detroit/Canada area so the Detroit airport was the perfect location for us to depart together for the long trip to and from Seoul.  Chapel Hart had a couple of hours in the Lounge before our on-time departure.  As background, Autumn Kings participated a couple of years ago in an AFE tour and we visited Guam, Korea, Japan and Okinawa on that tour.  Chapel Hart also participated in an AFE tour last year to Guam, Japan and Okinawa. Both are great groups to work with and I’ve been looking forward to this tour for months.

As expected, the WiFi only lasted until we left USA Air Space.  Then for about 10 hours, there was no connection.  I worked like a crazy person for those few hours we did have service.  I keep telling myself that in September I won’t have to depend on Delta for WiFi ever again.  The new iPhones come out in September and I’m already pre-approved to have the Beta version of Star Link.  Counting the days….

None of the movies – although there were probably around 30 available – were worth watching.  I ate dinner, worked, and then slept for almost 6 hours – way more sleep than I ever get at home.

There were several periods of pretty rough turbulence but other than that, it was a good flight.  We landed a few minutes early.  We had applied for QR codes for the process of going through the Health check, Immigration Entry and Customs. However, we were given paper forms on the flight which I told everyone to fill out as a backup.  No problems except for one musician.  For some reason, they refused to accept his Immigration form even though it had his photo and valid QR code.  No one else had a problem, so doesn’t make much sense.  And, he forgot to fill out the paper form so had to get out of line (which was long!) and get a form and fill it out, then get back in line.

All our bags made it and “P” (MSGT Scheneider Pallant) was waiting for us with the bus.  It was about a 3 ½ hour drive including a one hour stop for dinner at a “rest stop”.  The driver picked probably the best Rest Stop I’ve ever visited on my Korea tours.  So many choices and food was excellent.

Our rooms were ready for us once we arrived at Wolf Pack Lodge.  I was able to work until 2 am and then grab 4 hours of sleep.  Wednesday is going to be a very busy day but a GOOD one with multiple Unit Visits with the men and women serving at Kunsan Air Base.

Jude

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH – PERFORMANCE AT KUNSAN AIR BASE:

As mentioned yesterday, it was a very busy – but extremely fulfilling day — at Kunsan Air Base.

We started the day with a visit to the flight line.  The group got to sit in a fighter jet for a photo op as well as have the flight crew and maintenance crew tell them all about the aircraft.

Second stop was at the Fire Department.  We toured their living facilities and learned about their shifts.  One person from Autumn Kings and one from Chapel Hart were allowed to climb to the top of the 75 foot ladder on the fire truck.  They were strapped on and the ladder was rotated once they got to the top.  Then, several of the group were allowed to use the fire hose.

Final stop was to visit with Security Forces where they explained what they do with the with Drone surveillance.  Then anyone who wanted to was allowed to fly one of their drones for a few minutes.  They cost $26,000 so they were very cautious when flying them!

I know this sounds like all these activities were arranged for the benefit and “fun” of the entertainers.  But it is definitely not that one-sided.  Our men and women serving our country are proud of their service and what they do on a daily basis.  They like being able to share their daily lives with groups who are as interested as Autumn Kings and Chapel Hart.  Both my groups always made sure to thank the military and both groups are very inquisitive and wanted to know everything about the base.  Its just another way we can thank these amazing men and women in person.

We made a very quick stop for lunch – splitting between the Food Court and the Loring Club where there was an Italian Buffet.  After lunch, we dropped Chapel Hart at lodging and Autumn Kings grabbed their equipment and headed to the venue for sound check.  As with most “first shows””, we ran into some issues with the equipment that was provided.  But, we worked through everything and they sounded great.

Chapel Hart came to the venue for sound check and Autumn Kings went back to the Wolf Pack Lodge.  Chapel Hart brought their show clothes with them and as soon as sound check was over, changed into those since they perform first.  We had a nice visit from leadership in the green room just prior to Chapel Hart taking the stage.

Every show starts with a personal message from Gary.  Just as the video started and Gary said, “Hello Kunsan Air Base”…two fighter jets took off.  So no one heard his personalized greeting! Chapel Hart has a very high energy show and are pros at getting the audience involved.  I got video of some of the attendees dancing and laughing and singing along.  So nice to bring them a little break while serving so far from family and friends.

We had a 15 minute intermission and we played Gary’s message again because lots of people had walked up about 10 minutes after Chapel Hart had kicked off their set.  During the intermission, we also played the GSF Informational video and James came on stage to talk about Gary’s son, Mac.  We have a slide that we show while James speaks and people were taking photos of the slide with the information on it about where they could find Mac’s music.  Mac lost his battle with cancer in January, 2024, but his music will live on forever.  We play his music when the doors open at each show while people are walking in.  He was a brilliant composer and if you are reading this, please take a moment to go on the Gary Sinise Foundation website and read Mac’s story.  Also go to “Mac Sinise” on YouTube and watch his videos and listen to his music.  His music is available on all streaming platforms and both LP’s are available to purchase through the GSF website.  All money generated through the sales go to support the Gary Sinise Foundation at Mac’s request.  Take a minute to “like” the music or better yet, leave a comment.  Gary does so much for the military and first responders and this is just a small way we can show our support of him and Mac’s legacy.

Autumn Kings had a great show, too.  They performed in Korea a few years ago but have definitely taken their show to the next level!  Everyone attending had a great time and most of the attendees showed up at the Meet and Greet which was held immediately after the show.

Several of us walked over to the Wolf Café to buy dinner and take back to our rooms.  I was the first to order and paid for a Caesar Salad and an egg white cheese omelet.  All the others ordered and picked up their meals way before I got mine.  I have no idea why mine took so long.  Then, when I got back to my room, I did not have a cheese omelet.  It was filled with black olives, onions, peppers, etc.  So glad I had the Caesar Salad as a backup!

We were back at lodging around 10 pm and lobby call tomorrow is 9:30 am.  I was able to get a little work done but went to bed earlier than normal so I could get up at 5 am and work.  Show tomorrow is at Camp Humphreys and is our only “indoor show”…..at least as of today.  The weather forecast for Friday and Saturday is terrible.  Rain and wind predicted.  This is Osan Air Base’s first Air Show since Covid and aircraft will be arriving today from Japan and other neighboring regions.  But nothing from the USA.  I know if the weather is bad, the Air Show has to be cancelled.  But our concert will still take place and moved indoors.  We just have to make the call tomorrow morning as to whether or not we have to move the show indoors.  We are scheduled to do a sound check on Friday and then the performance on Saturday.  Will just have to “wait and see” how the weather looks tomorrow.

The bases and the entertainers are so thankful for Gary’s and the Gary Sinise Foundation’s support by bringing them entertainment.  With all the Government cut-backs, his support comes at a much-needed time for the men and women serving.

Jude