McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn. -- Celebrity spokesperson for the Air National Guard, Laura Bryna, visited McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base on Sept. 26.
The petite, spunky and bubbly Bryna was in town to perform at the 5th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at Pellissippi State CC and wanted to visit with the Air Guardsmen of the 134th Air Refueling Wing.
Her visit began with Wing Staff and the Personnel Flight where she met with Col. Tim Dearing, signed autographs and posed for photos.
Staff Sgt. John Rode, 134th Comm., blushed profusely as Bryna greeted him with a Hug and a "Hello Handsome". Sgt. Rode subsequently got back in line for a second autograph. Sgt. Rode later said "meeting Ms. Laura Bryna was 'inspirational'", and then he blushed again.
Bryna was given a KC135 tour by Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Stewardson in the orange hangar where the guys had WIVK, a local country music station, blasting through the loud speakers. During her visit, the song she has dedicated to all Air National Guardsmen, "Hometown Heroes" played on the station. This was her first time ever hearing it on the radio! And it happened here, with us. People began clapping as Bryna and her entourage cheered with excitement.
Bryna also met with members of the 119th CACS, the 228th CBCS and the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center. Bryna was very impressed with the video and radio studios at the TEC and hopes to record here at a later date.
That evening during Bryna's performance at the Air Balloon Festival Maj. Jason Brock, 134th Maintenance Group, swore in seven new members into the Tennessee Air National Guard. The enlistees were: Zachary Weatherford, Charles Dunkelberger, Kimberly Gomez, Brian McPeters, and Matthew Laney.
"I'm so honored that the Air Guard has chosen me to represent them," said Bryna. "Like any good citizen, I want to do my part in serving our country and can't think of a better way than by helping to spread the good word and good works of the Air Guard. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who serve our country. If I can play a part in helping bring awareness and support to their mission, then I've done my job."