Veteran’s professional singing career inspired by national anthem

BY ROY DE JESUS TAMPA

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Now embarking in a professional signing career, Maxine Reyes, a 22-year Army and Air Force veteran, is delighting audiences at every opportunity. 

What You Need To Know

 Maxine Reyes continues professional singing career inspired by National Anthem after military service
 Reyes spent 11 years each with the Army and Air Force
 She also helps other veterans find their new calling after active duty

If you missed the Rays game on the Fourth of July, you missed quite the performance of the national anthem. Reyes delighted a packed Tropicana Field of more than 22,000 fans. For those watching at home, it was a moment sure to make you feel good, too.

Surrounded by red, white and blue, and decked out in Rays gear, Reyes belted out our nation’s anthem.

Spectrum Bay News 9 caught up with her at Tampa’s Riverwalk days after the game. She said there is something about a song that can inspire.

“So, I was a shy young girl, and it was difficult to be on the stage and be confident,” Reyes said. “Now, singing the national anthem has built my confidence and shared my gift that God blessed me with.”

It was not her first time singing it in front of big crowds. Tuesday’s patriotic performance was her second at a Rays game.

She also sang it many times while in her military career.

“I was selected to sing while I was deployed in Qatar on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in front of the royal family there and in front of the troops in Afghanistan,” she said.

Reyes said wherever she went for deployment, she volunteered to sing it.

She has sung the National Anthem at Orlando’s Veteran’s Day celebrations. She sang the anthem at Orlando Magic games during the pandemic and during Orlando City Soccer’s inaugural season as well.

At big venues, she said is when she is most in tune.

“Honestly, the bigger the crowd, the more challenging it gets for me. But I feel great gratitude because I have always wanted to sing in front of a large crowd,” she said. “And I envision myself singing at a Super Bowl, the National Anthem. But being amongst all the patriots on July 4th felt great and I’m honored that they chose me.”

Last year, Reyes became a Florida Veteran’s Hall of Fame recipient. Now, she is retired from active duty, but she’s never away from her military family. Reyes continues to help former veterans with life after active duty by showing them it is never too late to try something new.