Columbia Union President Sings the National Anthem at Washington Nationals Game

On Wednesday evening, Dave Weigley, Columbia Union Conference president and Adventist HealthCare (AHC) Board of Trustees chairman, sang the national anthem at a Washington Nationals baseball game in Washington, D.C. A portion of the proceeds from the 285 tickets purchased by AHC, Columbia Union Conference, North American Division, Washington Adventist University and WGTS 91.9 FM employees will support the Washington Adventist Hospital Foundation in Takoma Park, Md.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Erik Wangsness, president of AHC’s Washington Adventist Hospital, says he is grateful to Weigley for being a good sport. Joyce Newmyer, former president of Washington Adventist Hospital, sang the anthem at the event for the past two years. Last summer, Newmyer moved to Adventist Health in Oregon. "Dave was the perfect pinch-hitter,” says Tom Grant, AHC's vice president of public relations/marketing.

During his time at Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, Pa., and Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., Weigley sang baritone in the schools’ respective choirs. During the fall of 1970, he also sang with the National Adventist Choral Society, directed by Francisco de Araujo, but never as a soloist in front of such a large crowd.

“My guess is he will now have a starting role each year, if we are asked to participate," says Grant.

Thanks to Shannon Kornick for the video!