Gatlin Brothers, band visit airmen Published Dec. 22, 2003 By Senior Airman James C. Dillard 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- The Gatlin Brothers and the Air Force’s High Flight band teamed up to perform a concert here Dec. 18 for airmen with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed location.The day of the concert, the Gatlins toured the base, visiting with airmen from the various units. They got their hands dirty digging around under the hood of a Humvee, sat in forklifts and crawled into the cockpit of a plane.Wearing desert camouflage uniforms, complete with “Gatlin” embroidered on their shirts, the brothers blended in with the airmen they visited.Master Sgt. Marvin Griffin, with the base’s legal office, said he grew up listening to the Gatlin Brothers and even performed their music in a couple of talent shows.“They were so down to earth,” he said. “Meeting them put the spark back into music for me.”A common comment from many of the young airmen was “my parents loved you, I can remember listening to you when I was a kid.”Larry Gatlin said it did not matter that some of the younger troops were not familiar with them.“None of that matters,” he said. “They’re a long way from home, and they’re a long way from their loved ones. It’s our honor to bring a little piece of home to them.”During the concert, Tech. Sgt. Ryan Carson of High Flight said the band was proud to bring some music to the airmen.“Even though we can’t bring you home, we want to bring a little of home to you,” he said.The Gatlin Brothers also attended a flag ceremony while visiting here.“At the flag ceremony when they called the young man up who was going to be promoted, I started crying,” said Steve Gatlin. “We’re very patriotic. We love our country, and we love these men and women who are fighting and dying for us.”