At 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, the gates off Oceana Blvd and Dam Neck Road opened to the public for the NAS Oceana Air Show. On Friday, Sept. 20, the event was open exclusively to fifth graders from Virginia Beach and Chesapeake elementary schools.
Sophomore Mihika Sakharpe performed the Star Spangled Banner on all three days.
“It was an honor,” Mihika said.
With highs of around 77 F, families and visitors alike came to watch the performing teams soar. The paratroopers performed in correlation with the national anthem at 10:45 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. However, due to cloud cover on Sunday, the performance of the national anthem was postponed to 11:15 a.m., and the paratrooper’s performance was canceled. Nevertheless, the performing planes took off after the displays on all three days, showcasing the routines they had practiced.
Mihika had an unconventional path to being the voice for this year’s air show.
“I emailed the air show staff in May asking if they needed a singer for the national anthem. Since I’m a cadet in Civil Air Patrol, I thought it would be a cool idea,” Mihika said.
Originally, air show facilitators had their singer chosen months beforehand; however, that singer was not able to attend, so directors reached out for a volunteer.
“The singer couldn’t make it, so they contacted a few others who expressed interest, including me,” Mihika said. “I sent in an audition video in full uniform, and days later, I got the acceptance email.”
In preparation for her performance, she researched past renditions of the national anthem, finding inspiration for certain embellishments she could add as she sang.
During the first two days of the air show, she made sure to time her singing alongside the paratroopers. Pyrotechnics were running as she sang on the second and third days.
Mihika expresses gratitude for being able to pay homage to America’s military personnel with her singing.
“My favorite part of this opportunity was being able to honor my country as well as the Civil Air Patrol, a program that has made an immense positive difference in my life,” Mihika said. “Many people, including veterans, came up to me later on and said they were moved to tears, which made me realize the profound role our national anthem plays in our lives.”
