From the sub-arctic to center stage, Eielson Airman joins Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Frank Hartnett
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  An Eielson Iceman has turned in his snowshoes and has headed for the spotlight.

Staff Sgt. James Warren, a chaplain's assistant here at Eielson was selected and is training to take his place in Tops in Blue. His new duty will take him away from the base chapel and put him on stage.

Base chaplain, Lt. Col. David Terrinoni suggested Sergeant Warren's selection wasn't based just on talent.

"Sergeant Warren brought up the possibility last fall when the call went out," said Chaplain Terrinoni. "I already knew the talents that he had and felt that if God wanted him to go in this direction, then the doors would be opened to make it happen."

It was a chance encounter over the internet with a dying Marine that rekindled Sergeant Warren's desire to perform, a skill that he has had since kindergarten. The Marine was succumbing to the final stages of inoperable cancer, but found some relief in videos posted by Sergeant Warren on YouTube.

"He thanked me for my videos and said they were the only thing that made him smile anymore," said Sergeant Warren. "I emailed him back and let him know I was a brother in arms, and in a very short time we formed a bond."

The two men would go on to exchange details of one another's life and learn about each other. Sergeant Warren learned that the Marine had shown the videos to everyone in the hospital willing to watch.

"We communicated nearly every day for two weeks, and then the emails stopped coming."

The loss of his pen pal saddened him, but Sergeant Warren was happy that he could entertain the Marine in his final days.

"It's not just about performing because I enjoy it, it's about bringing a spark of happiness into people's lives," said Sergeant Warren.

Chaplain Terrinoni believes that a chaplain assistant on the team could be a valuable addition.

"I think Sergeant Warren, in addition to his talents, will contribute a quiet balance to the team that they will need when they are on the road for so many weeks," said Chaplain Terrinoni. "He will make a fine representative of the Chaplain Corps and Team Eielson as he tours around the world."

Sergeant Warren at the time of his interview wasn't aware what exact role he would fill in the team. But, he was fairly sure he would entertain the audience between major costume changes and perform as different characters for the crowds.

The Tops in Blue performers are known for their busy schedule and worldwide travel. The change will be stressful but Sergeant Warren has made sure that his family will be taken care of while he performs.

"For the next year, I belong to Tops in Blue, and they are my new family," said Sergeant Warren. "My immediate family will be well taken care of, as they are going to stay with my parents in San Antonio, where we have many friends and extended family members."

Despite all the preparation, he is still anxious about hitting the road and leaving his family in Texas.

Although the first thing that comes to mind is how much he'll miss his wife and kids, the sergeant welcomes the hectic travel schedule. 

"Traveling to over 25 countries, seeing America, and all while doing what I love is an experience I look forward to," said Sergeant Warren. "But I most look forward to watching people from all around the world walk out of a performance with a smile on their face... that's the pay dirt."