Sergeant takes Anti-drug battle personally

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • Air Force Print News
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  Armed with his weapon, Staff Sgt. Terry Grace faces down the menace that destroyed his cousin's life.

Sergeant Grace is the bass player for Reserve Generation, the Air Force Reserve Command Band from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., which entertained more than 500 local elementary school students at the Trinity University auditorium here Oct. 25 and taught them about being drug free. 

The group, which entertained the audience with a mixture of 14 top children's musical, hits, dancing and an elaborate lightshow, performed in celebration of Red Ribbon week.

The anti-drug campaign is something Sergeant Grace takes seriously, he said. He has seen firsthand the devastation drugs can cause. Sergeant Grace has a cousin who had everything going for him in life. A wife, four kids and a successful military career all were taken away from him because of drugs.

"He was brilliant and could do anything he put his mind to, but the drugs destroyed him," Sergeant Grace said.

Unfortunately there will be no happy Hollywood ending for Sergeant Grace's cousin. After being forced to live on the streets, he contracted Aids from a dirty needle and now only has months left to live.

When Sergeant Grace sees a crowd of children waiting for him to perform, he said it is a chance to use the lessons he learned from his cousin to prevent it from happening to the next generation.

"The thing about these kids is that they are very bright and they have a lot of energy," he said. "You want to influence them in a positive way and give them the power to make the right decisions in life."

The group travels across the country educating thousands of students. Sergeant Grace said he feels fortunate to do his job.

""It started as a directive from our headquarters," he said. "But, because I have a personal relationship with someone that succumbed to drugs, the show became more personal and the message the Air Force wants to get out to the children is the same message I want to get out."

The concert entertains the children while it educates them. A few times during the concert, random audience members are brought on stage to participate. Audience members are also encouraged to sing and dance along with the group at their seats. The energy from the children makes it easier to perform, even when the group is tired from working a hectic schedule, the sergeant said.

Rhiana Martinez, a 11-year-old from San Antonio said she enjoyed the show and wishes it was longer.

"I think it was awesome because it was about being drug free," she said. "They were really good.  I hope they come out with a CD."