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Then & now
Airman, Nov, 2004 by Louis A. Arana-Barradas
Maj. Ivan Thompson loves to write and sing songs about the things that matter most to him: God, family and his purpose in life.
In 1987, inspired by ads of missing children on milk cartons, the then-first lieutenant wrote and sang "The Milk Carton Children." He wrote it because he felt "a burden grow inside" when he saw an ad and wanted to help. He even got to sing the song on the Bobby Jones Gospel Show.
Fifteen years later, his convictions haven't changed. Major Thompson still sings at his church and continues to write and sing songs about things that matter to him.
"It's my passion." said Major Thompson. a 1986 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. After 16 years on active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve. Today, he's a contingency manning actions officer at the Pentagon. His job: Sending Airmen to fight in the global war on terrorism.
The Air Force asked much of the father of five. Still, the gospel singer from St. Louis found time to sing at Six Flags, sporting events and hundreds of civic, promotion. retirement and change-of-command ceremonies--something he loved.
"Being able to add something unique to all those events was really special." he said.
In 2001, he joined the Air Force's Tops in Blue entertainment troupe as tour director and a lead vocalist. But the Sept. 11 attacks cut short his longtime dream. He returned to the Pentagon, and wrote "And Still We Stand" as a tribute to America and those who died that day.
Most recently he wrote the yet unreleased "The Cost of Freedom Isn't Free," a song dedicated to American troops who've fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We can never forget their sacrifices," he said.
Though he loves the Air Force, another dream calls. So Major Thompson is packing his music and moving to Los Angeles. He'll remain a reservist, but he's not looking back.
"There's no way I can go to the next level working 12-hour shifts," he said. "I want to keep singing--and a real shot at becoming a full-time entertainer."
As he heads down this new path, he promises to take his convictions with him.
COPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Air Force, Air Force News Agency
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
