Retired U.S. military officers were touched by the spirit of Shen Yun performers and the values expressed through the stories. David Chambers, a former U.S. Air Force officer expressed his love for the Chinese culture after watching the performance in San Antonio, Texas, on Dec. 29.
“I just love the culture, I love the beautiful, peaceful, color, the messaging of your culture, it was just wonderful. It blew me away. I just love the Chinese people,” said Chambers.
Chambers served in the Air Force for 24 years. After his retirement, he started to help veterans build houses. He said that the Shen Yun performance was an eye-opener for him.
“And the opera singer, I was so involved with her singing, that I wasn’t reading what she was singing. And when I saw that, it was about our creator, that we’re all one, we’re all one person, and I just love it, I love it,” Chambers added.
“And we’re here just admiring the beauty of the physical dexterity, of the costumes,” said John Morris, a former U.S. military officer. “You people are terrific, just want to thank you for bringing this to San Antonio.”
The stories presented on stage are not limited to those from the past. According to its website, Shen Yun also portrays event occurring in modern-day China in its stories related to the persecution of Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa.
“It’s no political statement, it’s about what comes from your heart. You all are so cultured, you all have been around for a thousand years, and how you all are not free is what surprises me. And [I] hope one day that your future will be as free as us,” Chambers added.
