National Anthem for the Fargo Force Hockey Team

I recently had the oppurtunity to sing the National Anthem for the Fargo Force Hockey Team. I was inspired to start singing the National Anthem my freshman year of High School when I had many close to me serving overseas in Iraq. Over the past two and a half years I have sang the National Anthem for 30 different sporting, and pageant events. Each time I sing it I think of the people close to me that have sacrificed so much to serve our amazing country.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend I traveled to Fargo and sang for the Fargo Force Hockey Team. I arrived at the Urban Plains Stadium and was immideatly greeted by a Fargo Force staff member who new my name. I laughed when he said "Nice to meet you! It's Paige Meyer, right?" I then meet with Whitney for my sound check. She led my family and I around the halls and locker rooms of the stadium to the penalty box for my sound check. I had never sang in such a big stadium before. It took a while to get used to the echo that was behind me. It seemed like I was singing different words then what I was hearing. It all went very well. After the sound check my family and I walked around the stadium taking many pictures. I also got to see some very cute hockey boys. :)

At 6:45 I met up with Whitney once again to sing the National Anthem, but for real this time. I sat and waited and drank lots of water and played my starting note in my pitch pipe over, and over. After 30 National Anthems I have learned that those two items are essential to how my performance goes. After waiting for about 15 minutes the game started as all of the hockey players were announced in their starting line ups. Finally I recieved a little nudge from Whitney as she told me to go ahead and step out on the ice. I heard my name announced as I hummed my starting pitch. I started singing and out of the corner of my eye say my face and name on the big screen. I must say I felt like a "star." Before I knew it I was singing "...and the home of the brave..." As I stepped off the ice I recieved cheers from the crowd and hockey players. I have never felt so honored to sing the Anthem before.

After singing I joined my family to watch the game. Each game the Fargo Force has special events in which the fans can give back to their community. Saturday's game was "Teddy Bear night." Every teddy bear recieved was going to Children's Hospitals throughout the area. I brought a big Teddy Bear to throw onto the ice and be a participant. In the end of the first period the Force scored a goal with 15 seconds left on the timer. As a way of congratulating them, the fans along with myself, threw hundreds of teddy bears onto the ice. It was exciting to see so many teddy bears on the ice at one time. I hope they will put a smile on the face of the children that recieve them. The Fargo Force won the game with a score of 5-0. Congrats to them!!

I had an amazing experience and I would like to thank Melissa, and staff at the Fargo Force for setting up the performance. It was my honor. I would ask all of you who are reading that you would remember and pray for those who serve and have served as you hear the National Anthem. I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend!

God Bless!
Always
Paige