The AAFHA Squadronaires WWII Revue
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Featuring Dawn O'Day, Bob Hope, Major Parisi, and a Cast of Dozens.
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The AAFHA (Army Air Forces Historical Association) Squadronaires WWII Revue is the entertainment branch of AAFHA. Started by Alyssa Martin for her Girl Scout Gold Award, where she created a singing trio based on the music and style of the popular 1940s singing trio, the Andrews Sisters, dedicated to bringing smiles and laughter to veterans and seniors through a live WWII style variety show of 1940s comedy, singing and dancing. She was inspired by both of her Grandfather's military service in WWII and Korean War, and the fact that her Grandmother was a USO "Victory Belle" in NYC and Long Island during WWII. Having successfully completed and earning the Gold Award, Alyssa continued to receive requests to perform at assisted living centers, nursing homes, American Legion Halls, Air-shows and other Veterans events.
Initially she continued to enlist the help of her 2 friends who completed the trio. Unfortunately, college life and careers took the other girls to different parts of the country making it more difficult to continue the singing group. Undaunted by this set back and still wishing to perform for seniors and veterans, Alyssa embarked upon a "solo career”, as Dawn O'Day, (the original stage name of her great aunt, actress Anne Shirley), creating a song list of popular 1940s tunes by such artists as Vera Lynn, Judy Garland, Doris Day, Kitty Kallen, etc. She also created an extended entertainment troupe called the AAFHA Squadronaires, expanding the troupe with the addition of AAFHA members to incorporate comedy sketches, duet and solo songs and dance routines by the new participants. Alyssa and the group also researched the period clothing, colloquialisms, skits, vocal styling, and mannerisms, to keep their entire production as authentic and accurate to the time period as possible.
With smaller groups or with the full troupe, The AAFHA Squadronaires have brought their variety show to thrill thousands of seniors and veterans at events and senior and veteran centers where they continue to perform before enthusiastic audiences. They have performed at American Legion Halls, Veterans Hospitals, Assisted Living Centers, the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY, The Westchester County Veterans Museum, The NY Historical Society and airshows throughout the Tri-state area and Pennsylvania. Alyssa has also sung the National Anthem at many of these same venues.
Initially she continued to enlist the help of her 2 friends who completed the trio. Unfortunately, college life and careers took the other girls to different parts of the country making it more difficult to continue the singing group. Undaunted by this set back and still wishing to perform for seniors and veterans, Alyssa embarked upon a "solo career”, as Dawn O'Day, (the original stage name of her great aunt, actress Anne Shirley), creating a song list of popular 1940s tunes by such artists as Vera Lynn, Judy Garland, Doris Day, Kitty Kallen, etc. She also created an extended entertainment troupe called the AAFHA Squadronaires, expanding the troupe with the addition of AAFHA members to incorporate comedy sketches, duet and solo songs and dance routines by the new participants. Alyssa and the group also researched the period clothing, colloquialisms, skits, vocal styling, and mannerisms, to keep their entire production as authentic and accurate to the time period as possible.
With smaller groups or with the full troupe, The AAFHA Squadronaires have brought their variety show to thrill thousands of seniors and veterans at events and senior and veteran centers where they continue to perform before enthusiastic audiences. They have performed at American Legion Halls, Veterans Hospitals, Assisted Living Centers, the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY, The Westchester County Veterans Museum, The NY Historical Society and airshows throughout the Tri-state area and Pennsylvania. Alyssa has also sung the National Anthem at many of these same venues.
To book the SQUADRONAIRES for a performance at your Military, Veterans or other event,
contact us!
contact us!
With the U. S. Coast Guard Aux. FLOTILLA 10-01 at Lincoln Park Airport: July 9, 2018
It was an honor for Alyssa to be asked to sing the National Anthem and for AAFHA to be invited to the July 2018 meeting of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 10-01 at the Lincoln Park Airport Sunset Pub & Grill on Monday, July 9, 2018.Alyssa was also asked to sing a full set of her 1940s standards with an introduction by yours truly perfroming as Bob Hope, accompanied by Col Albert J. Parisi. From Commander Schepis "Alyssa Martin was fabulous. There was a point in the presentation when she was singing the National Anthem acapella and a light breeze began to cause the U.S. flag to flutter. I was so choked up at the sight, I almost began to cry. I looked over and noticed many people in the restaurant standing at their tables with their hands over their hearts. It was truly a memorable evening."
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Greenwood Lake Airshow, AAFHA Squadronaires; June 10, 2018 on the AAFHA stage!
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Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day sings the National Anthem to start the Greenwood Lake Airshow: June 9, 2018:
Click above to view. Greenwood lake Airshow, AAFHA Squadronaires with Paul Martin as Bob Hope and Alyssa Martin performing as Dawn O'Day at the Greenwood Lake Air show on June 10, 2018 on the AAFHA stage!
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photos below by Joseph Hoetzl
AAFHA Squadronaires performing at MAAM WWII Weekend, June 2, 3, 2018: WRDG Stage
Click on videos below from MAAM WWII Weekend in Reading PA, June 2 and 3, 2018:
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Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day sings Dream a Little Dream, Three Little Sisters and Apple Blossom Time: Sunday june 3, 2018:
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Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day sings White Cliffs of Dover & Bei Mir Bistu Shein: Saturday june 2, 2018:
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Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day, special duet with Frank Cubillo (Frank sings Frank): Let's Get Away From It All: Sunday june 3, 2018:
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Squadronaires perfroming at MAAM WWII Weekend, June 2, 3, 2018: Photos Below by Paul Martin
Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day, Paul Martin as Bob Hope and special duet with Frank Cubillo (Frank sings Frank): 3 full sets June 2 and 3 , 2018.
Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day sings White Cliffs of Dover, Sunday june 3, 2018:
Photo above by Mark Franko
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Photo above by Al Peinhardt
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Photo above by Vlad Kfrg
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MAAM WWII Weekend, June 2, 3, 2018: Photos below by Dennis Gill
DAV and Purple Heart Homes Veterans's Thanksgiving Dinner at Putnam County Country Club on November 18. 2017.
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Paul and Alyssa Martin of the AAFHA Squadronaires, performing as Bob Hope and Dawn O'Day at the Suzi McDonough, DAV and Purple Heart Homes Veterans's Thanksgiving Dinner at Putnam County Country Club on November 18. 2017.
photos below by Bob Dumas: Mahopac News
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Photos below by Paul and Joanne Martin.
photos below by NY Riders.
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Paul and Alyssa Martin of the AAFHA Squadronaires, performing as Bob Hope and Dawn O'Day at the Hudson Valley Honor Flight's Fundraiser brunch at Rye Country Club on September 23, 2017. Click on the video above:
Paul and Alyssa Martin of the AAFHA Squadronaires, performing as Bob Hope and Dawn O'Day on the WRDG radio Stage at the MAAM WWII Weekend in Reading PA, June 3 & 4, 2017.Click on the video on right: |
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Photos below by Lorén Hannah from vgbphotos.com Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day
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Hello Mr. Martin,
I am a photographer (one of many, I am sure) that you met on Sunday June 4th at WWII Weekend this year. I had the delight of meeting you, hearing your fun & fabulous ‘Bob Hope’ performance and photographing & enjoying your beautiful vocalist!
A truly wonderful show!!! Your singer does such a lovely act and I really had a great time on our quick ‘photo shoot.’
Thanks again for all of the wonderful work you do to keep History alive & vibrant, it is just so awesome and engaging!!!
Cheers,
Lorén Hannah
I am a photographer (one of many, I am sure) that you met on Sunday June 4th at WWII Weekend this year. I had the delight of meeting you, hearing your fun & fabulous ‘Bob Hope’ performance and photographing & enjoying your beautiful vocalist!
A truly wonderful show!!! Your singer does such a lovely act and I really had a great time on our quick ‘photo shoot.’
Thanks again for all of the wonderful work you do to keep History alive & vibrant, it is just so awesome and engaging!!!
Cheers,
Lorén Hannah
Photos below by Dennis Gill from the Americans in Wartime Museum: Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day
Photos below by Tom Haines from Radio Station WRDG
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The AAFHA Squadronaires at the Washington Township Historical Society,
Schooley's Mountain Firehouse: November 19, 2016
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To watch the full video, click below! The AAFHA Squadronaires
at the Washington Township Historical Society, Schooley's Mountain Firehouse: November 19, 2016
at the Washington Township Historical Society, Schooley's Mountain Firehouse: November 19, 2016
photo by Betsy Guzenski
Photos below by Len Komar, except where noted:
Past Squadronaire performances!
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The Army Air Forces Historical Association
Squadronaires WWII Revue Wayne G. Placek Commanding Officer Oradell, NJ Dear Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to let you know how enjoyable your program was this Friday at our Rockland Senior Citizens meeting. Bob Hope could not have done a much better presentation. We thank you for donating your time and talent to our organization. You captured our member’s attention completely. Thank You. Sincerely, Joe Urban Corresponding secretary |
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VIDEO: Abbreviated impromptu performance at the Annual AAFHA Dinner, 2016.
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Joanne and Paul Martin as Paulette Goddard and Bob Hope.
Performance at the Greenwood Lake Airshow: 2015
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Greenwood Lake Airshow: August 2016
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VIDEO: August 14, 2016 Greenwood Lake Airshow. The Squadronaires perform their WWII Revue. Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day, Paul Martin as Bob Hope, Maj. Albert Parisi,Len Komar.
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AAFHA Squadronaires at the Bristal Assisted Living Center Woodcliff Lake,
January 31, 2016.
The AAFHA Squadronaires WWII Revue had a real swell time entertaining the Veterans And Seniors at the Bristal Assisted Living Center In Woodcliffe Lake NJ! We performed 2 shows, including one at the alzheimers ward. Thanks to all at AAFHA Army Air Forces Historical Association for a really great show! Albert J. Parisi Len Komar Rachel Bambi Zelesny, Wayne Placek, Keith MarvelTaryn Zelesny and Alyssa Martin. Kathleen McNally. photos below by Carla Capizzi
The AAFHA Sisters
Squadronaires HI-Jinx with the FLS Microjet at the Greenwood Lake Airshow!
Having some fun at the Greenwood Lake Air Show with Alyssa and our favorite pilot friend, Justin Lewis. Justin flies the worlds smallest and FASTEST Microjet, as seen in the James Bond film "Octopussy"! We started this series of photos in 2014 with Christopher Hartney's accidental photobomb appearance, so we recreated it in 2015 with Derek Neill, and 2016 with Paul the "Angry Dad"!
Justin's Microjet is SO FAST it's hard to get a good picture, except when it's PARKED! Justin flew A-10s (and others) in the USAF and is still in the ANG, but flies the FLS Microjet at Airshows all around the country, AND he's a really swell guy!
Justin's Microjet is SO FAST it's hard to get a good picture, except when it's PARKED! Justin flew A-10s (and others) in the USAF and is still in the ANG, but flies the FLS Microjet at Airshows all around the country, AND he's a really swell guy!
