Gloria Gaynor to visit KMC

by Yanir Hill
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz
Courtesy photoGloria Gaynor serves supper to a Soldier during her visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center two years ago. Gaynor made a promise to return. She will sing and tell stories this Christmas at LRMC’s Heaton Hall.
Courtesy photo
Gloria Gaynor serves supper to a Soldier during her visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center two years ago. Gaynor made a promise to return. She will sing and tell stories this Christmas at LRMC’s Heaton Hall.

In 1978, after a delicate surgery for a severe spine injury, Gloria Gaynor entered a recording studio and belted out the lyrics to a song destined to become an anthem of survival, resiliency and empowerment.

The song, “I Will Survive,” quickly rose to the top of the charts and Gaynor’s life was never the same again. Thirty-five years later, “I Will Survive” still exemplifies the power of resiliency, faith, hope and survival.

On Dec. 25, Gaynor will help U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz celebrate resiliency, survival, empowerment and the holiday spirit in Heaton Hall at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The free event begins at 4 p.m. and is open to the public. Gaynor will share her story, share some stories from her new book and sing a few songs.
Through ups and downs, great success and tribulation, Gaynor carried on and shared her songs with the world.

Through the years, many have reached out to her to share their story of survival and how her song inspired them. The stories come from all walks of life, all different hardships but all sharing the common thread of empowerment inspired by Gaynor’s delivery of “I Will Survive.” Gaynor recently released a book capturing 40 of those stories.

The stories range from a mother losing her son in the World Trade Center collapse, a lady who survived the atrocities committed in Auschwitz, overcoming illness, and every other challenge imaginable.

Two years ago, while embarking on a promotional tour of her book, Gaynor visited LRMC, including the hospital and the USO Warrior Center.

After spending the day singing, cooking and eating with Soldiers and other patients, she thanked them for their time and for sharing their stories with her. She then promised to return.

For more information about Gaynor’s visit, call 06371-86-8477.