Mirdalys Herrera, a University of Minnesota Cadet, sings the national anthem at Saturday's All-American Bowl. Photo by Forrest Berkshire
By Steve Arel
U.S. Army Cadet Command
SAN ANTONIO – She walked out toward midfield, quelling her shakiness as cheers came from the Alamodome crowd and her face appeared on giant video screens near the end zones.
Mirdalys Herrera took her spot near the All-American Bowl logo, wrapped her hands and interlocked her fingers around the microphone on its stand, closed her eyes and began.
Her smooth, melodic voice singing the national anthem prior to kickoff of the annual showcase of high school football talent echoed through the stadium.
Fans held their hands over their hearts. They sang along. Some patted tears from their eyes.
“That was amazing,” Maj. Otto Padron, one of the Soldiers paired with players throughout the week, said afterward.
Herrera, a second-year Cadet with the University of Minnesota, was overwhelmed.
“I can’t really talk right now,” she said coming off the field. “I’m shaking so much.”
Herrera’s performance helped give Saturday’s game a distinct Cadet Command presence. Her performance followed the on-field commissioning of two San Antonio Cadets and preceded the awarding of a scholarship to a prospective Cadet.
Herrera admitted she would be shaky physically. But those chills stemmed more from excitement than nervousness.
The opportunity to sing the national anthem in front of Soldiers and nearly 30,000 Americans held special meaning for the 20-year-old who fled Cuba eight years ago and became a U.S. citizen just two years ago.
“Nothing compares to this,” said Herrera, who also sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” at a player awards dinner Friday night before a crowd of more than 1,000 people. “This is the culmination of being a citizen, a Soldier and representing my new country.”
Before contracting with ROTC, Herrera was so intent on serving her new country that she enlisted in the Army. When her citizenship was official after having to wait five years since arriving in the country and applying, she accepted an ROTC scholarship, which requires citizenship.
“I joined with the hopes and dreams of being a citizen and an officer,” said Herrera, who is majoring in sociology and pre-law and who wants to be an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps. “I’ve been working toward that for a long time.”
Herrera was chosen to sing by All-American Bowl officials after submitting a video of past performances and a resume.
Not that she needed to prove herself. Herrera is a veteran singer and performer. She started singing publicly at age 4, belting out tunes in her native Cuba.
When her father, a pianist, fled the country a decade ago, Herrera and her family reunited with him two years later in Minnesota, where he had scored a recording contract. Today, she’s the lead singer in the Latin-jazz group Nachito-Herrera and the Cuban All-Stars that is led by her father.
The group has exposed Herrera to audiences worldwide. It’s currently in Los Angeles laying the music and rhythm on tracks to which Herrera will later add her vocals.
The demands of ROTC and performing with her father’s group demand a great deal of time, even sometimes competing with each other. But Herrera said it’s always an easy decision which one will win.
“If there’s a conflict with ROTC and a concert, the concert’s not happening,” she said. “I love singing, however, I’m not going to let my duty slide.”
ROTC, Herrera said, has, among other things, taught her discipline and time-management techniques. More importantly, it has solidified her future.
“It’s been a fulfilling two years in ROTC,” she said. “Good things come with time. I just had to be patient. My patience paid off because I am here today. I get to sing and call this country my own.”
I’m a retired Air Force Brigadier General and also a graduate of the University of Minnesota AFROTC program. This excellent story about Cadet Herrera makes me proud! Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
Great story & photo about a great singer! I’ve heard Cadet Herrera sing the National Anthem at University of Minnesota, so I know the audience loved it!
Cadet Mirdalys Herrera: You are a great example of what we, Latinos who serve our Nation proudly, feel for our Stars & Stripes. I, too, was shaken – of Pride – within my heart and soul when I heard you sing our National Anthem. After 24 years of service, I retired a year ago but not a day goes by that I do not remember my Comrades in Arms serving in Afghanistan and their daily sacrifices. I sincerely wish you the best career our Army has to offer. Always be proud our your Hispanic heritage!
Jose A. Perez
LTC, Cavalry, U.S. Army Retired (“Boricua de corazon”)