OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --
David Cook, singer, songwriter and “American Idol” season seven winner, performed for nearly 1,000 members of Team Offutt at the Offutt Fall Fest, held September 18 on the Offutt parade grounds.
The concert was the thirteenth stop on a 16-base tour scheduled through the entertainment program of the Air Force Services Activity.
“I view this as an opportunity to say thank you to the military and their families for their service and their sacrifices,” Cook said. “For us to come out and make some noise that puts a smile on their faces, it’s really an honor.”
In addition to the concert, Offutt’s Fall Fest also featured a variety of food trucks and children’s activities including bouncy castles, face painting, sumo wrestling and others.
The Fall Fest attendees expressed appreciation for the event organizers, performers and volunteers.
“The concert is awesome,” said visiting Navy Chief Petty Officer Trenton Whalon, an electronic navigation technician assigned to the USS Nebraska. “The opportunity to socialize and get to know each other outside of work at a fun event is spectacular. I’d love to see more opportunities for this kind of fellowship at all of our installations where we can kick back with our families and relax.”
Jeff Miller, 338th Combat Training Squadron registrar and retired Air Force member, echoed those thoughts.
“We’ve been enjoying an awesome event,” Miller said. “We’ve followed David Cook since his time on ‘Idol’ and are enjoying seeing him live. It’s also a great opportunity for our Air Force family to get together and enjoy a well-rounded and put-together event."
Cook, who has family serving in the Air Force, also spoke about the role of resilience in his life. Before winning “American Idol,” he worked as a bartender for nearly 10 years to support himself while pursuing his musical dreams. Cook also lost his older brother, Adam Cook, to cancer in 2009.
“I’ve been lucky that in times of trouble, and aware, that I can lean on family and friends, and know that support system is in place,” Cook said. "Even if they aren’t nearby physically, people who care are only a phone call away. No matter where you are in your life, there are people that love you and care about you. If they love you, they want you to lean on them. Love them enough to trust them.”
Cook’s upcoming Air Force tour dates include:
Sept. 21, Grand Forks AFB (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
Sept. 23, Whiteman AFB (Knob Noster, Missouri)
Sept. 25, Columbus AFB (Columbus, Mississippi)