On March 3, 1991, over 40,000 north Texans gathered at Texas Stadium in Irving for the “Spirit of America Rally” to honor the troops of Operation Desert Storm, as well as veterans of the armed forces. The event was also videotaped and released worldwide by the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network.
Omega Productions had the honor of being chosen to produce the project, as well as shoot the concert for network television release. The vision for the rally was an idea from David McSpadden, A Rotary Club member. The concept became a reality when the Rotary Clubs of North Texas decided to sponsor the rally. As Roy Bailey, one of the co-chairmen of the event stated, “This was the largest single gathering by any group in the country during the war”
The lineup included a mixture of national and local artists headlined by Lee Greenwood, the Navy’s own country band “Country Currents”, The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band from Texas A&M University, and Dallas’ 110 strong, internationally recognized “Vocal Majority.” In addition, the South Oak Cliff High School Choir, Church On the Rock South Choir, 200 drill team members from the American Cheerleader School and a 200 member Boy Scout Color Guard rounded out the program. Letters to the troops from both President George Bush and General Norman Schwarzkopf were read. Several local celebrities appeared as did motivational speakers.
One of the logistical challenges faced by the Omega team was the use of a 3500-member human flag staged to cover one entire side of the stadium seats. The show’s assistant producer Donna Christensen explained the undertaking. “The 3500 flag cards, as well as 50 large white stars, were constructed for different parts of the flag. There was no opportunity to recruit and train participants. Members of the crowd who sat in the sections learned upon arrival that they were part of the flag. We had only 20 minutes to teach them their parts. They all did great and the flag was definitely one of the highlights of the show. On television it filled the screen to overflowing.”
Heather Smith and Bruce Braden helped co-produce the show along with Chris Brock, President of Visible, Inc., who directed. In addition, Omega’s remote recording facility provided the stereo on air television mix.
Paul Christensen, Omega’s President and the Producer, had obvious pride regarding the success of the show, “Because of the timing of the war, this project was organized from start to finish in three weeks and would not have been successful if Dallas did not have such talented and prolific film and video production community.”
Christensen had another reason to feel privileged to have produce the rally, “I am a Vietnam Vet, who like many fought a thankless war. This was my present to others like myself, who now can share in a welcome home we never received.”
