Re-Creation spent the 80’s and early 90’s full-time in the service to Veterans Homes and Hospitals nation-wide.  Cross-country trips were the norm as the group traveled to all the lower 48 states, celebrating America’s Heroes along the way.

Mr. Brooks was approached with the idea of submitting Re-Creation for one of the Freedom’s Foundation’s National Awards.   The George Washington Gold Medal of Honor was awarded to the group in 1992 along with the citation that would define Re-Creation’s  service to our nation’s hospitalized veterans.

In Re-Creation 16, the group was awarded the citation from the Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge as “America’s Ambassadors to Hospitalized Veterans”.  The awards ceremony took place in the Fall of 1991 and Re-Creation’s 17th edition performed as part of the festivities.

Lee Wineholt, RC 17 member, recalls…

“When I heard Mr. Brooks refer to the outgoing group (RC 16) as “America’s Ambassadors to Hospitalized Veterans,” I was struck by how wonderful that sounded…but also by the weight of it.  We were stepping into a position that carried an awesome responsibility – the idea that the ten of us “kids” were going to act as the singular envoy to America’s greatest living heroes.  

A few months later, having already performed dozens of shows for hospitalized veterans, a ceremony was held at Valley Forge, officially bestowing that title to Re-Creation.  The evening was nothing less than a gala!  And the ceremony of it all only drove home the sheer importance of what was happening.  To be at Valley Forge and have our christening as “America’s Ambassadors to Hospitalized Veterans” was both sobering and inspiring!  I’m so grateful to have been a part of that magical evening, and even more so to see Re-Creation living out that citation every day!”

The cache of the citation and the group’s inherent sincerity and verve made them a national treasure.  Re-Creation was now singing more than 320 shows a year…half in VA Medical Centers and half in other venues to support the cross-country service to America’s Heroes.

Future contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs now highlighted the need for “visits to wards” and “personal interactions with residents and patients, ” among other specifications and dictates taken fully from the Brooks Team’s own original development and implementation of the Re-Creation service.  Reading the requirements of the contract was like reading a description of the Re-Creation program.  Medical Professionals at the highest level had recognized the Brooks’ innovation and impact and were drafting that superlative approach as the standard for care!

Mr. Brooks also fostered long-standing relationships with the BVL Fund – the national charity of the bowlers of America…and The Elks national Veterans Service Commission.  Each of these organizations remained ardent supporters of the group’s nationwide for more almost 4 decades!

This decade saw a huge, prolific upswing in Mr. Brooks writing (with David Kazee) of much of the group’s sacred repertoire.   The duo wrote “In Remembrance of Me,” a grand cantata as well as a litany of other impacting, dynamic pieces.  In all, Mr. Brooks and David Kazee wrote over 50 songs the group presented in Re-Creation church programs!  

A grand Re-Union was planned for the winter of Re-Creation 19, and this event turned into a transition of leadership, as the Brooks Team handed the day-to-day activities of Re-Creation over to the Mullers.  The Brooks ended their tenure as they had begun it, with abject dedication to America…Her Heroes, her People and Her Church.

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS DECADE:

• Citation from The Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge as:
  “AMERICA’S AMBASSADORS to HOSPITALIZED VETERANS”
• RC 16 and 17 Singing at Mt. Rushmore!
• Getting the first Re-Creation mini-bus!
• Assuming full responsibility of National Veterans Program!
• First cross-country tours to Veterans Homes and Hospitals!
• The transition in leadership from Mr. Brooks to Mr. Muller.
• Having an RC alumnus become Miss Pennsylvania!  Jennifer Eshelman (RC 3-8) won Miss PA, 1982!
• RC alumni earning spots in Opryland…at one point, three RC graduates were performing there at the same time!  Jim Worthing, Amanda Daggett and Todd Murray!
• Producing first yearly-themed shows and professional videos!
• BVL and ELKS coming on-board to help fund national program…
  and staying with us through Re-Creation 47!