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Airman spreads joy at children's hospital

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Though a hospital can sometimes be a dreary place, one Airman used the power of music to bring a smile to some young patients. 

Airman 1st Class Dylan Westmoreland, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, volunteered at the Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, Colorado, Jan. 6, 2016. Westmoreland used his talents as a musician to bring a smile to patients at the hospital.

Westmoreland started playing at the young age of five and singing around 11. He has released one album and looks to create more for others to hear.

Many of the children at the hospital seemed to enjoy his performance and the music seemed to have improved their spirits.

“It was amazing,” said Samantha Dowdy, a patient at the Children's Hospital Colorado. “He changed my mood from worrying about myself, to having hope. Things like this are really effective, especially if someone is going through harder things.”

Westmoreland participated in humorous discussions with the staff and children throughout the day. 

One little girl, a patient of the hospital, asked Westmoreland how he became so brave that he could perform in front of others. He responded with, “You are the real brave one.”

Initially, Wesmoreland performed through a live broadcast that went through the hospital, which allowed more children to see and hear him play.

“I get a chance to play for these awesome kids and hopefully they enjoy it,” he said.

After the broadcast, Westmoreland was offered the chance to travel through the hospital and visit any patient that was willing and available. Through this journey he covered two floors of patients, each battling different medical conditions that no child should have to face.

Room by room he asked if anyone wanted to hear a song played for them. When he reached the last room, Samantha, like many patients before her, welcomed the thought of a personal song.

“When someone shows you that they care, especially when it doesn't benefit them other than bringing a smile to someones face, that shows you that there is something at the end of the tunnel,” Samantha said. “You feel like there's a light at the end of the tunnel.”

His performance at the hospital was the second time Westmoreland volunteered to play his music, and he will continue to serve others both as a member of the military and through his music.