Photo by Nick Spinelli Singer Stephanie Staples performs at Fort Gordon March 13. On three separate occasions, service members, Families, and employees of Fort Gordon have been given the opportunity to hear Stephanie Staples. Most recently, the singer/songwriter performed March 13, during a fashion show at the Gordon Club.

"It's where my heart is," Staples explained. "I've always wanted to share and spend time with the military, and lately, I've been fortunate enough to have had several opportunities."

Those opportunities began with a chance encounter over a year ago.

"I had actually met Stephanie several times at a local coffee shop," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dan Klender, the chaplain for Navy Information Operations Command Georgia. "I would see her at least once a week there, and she started a conversation with me when she saw me with my Bible. From there, we got to know each other and I heard her music. I've wanted to have her play at the base for a long time.

Klender said his desire for Staples to do a show at Fort Gordon sprung from a combination of their shared faith and his enjoyment of her work.

"She has a real heart for service, and her music is very uplifting. It's soothing and the lyrics provide a hopeful message for service members," he said.

Staples' first performance was at a "Wounded Warrior's" breakfast held on post February 24. "A lot of my songs are about healing," said Staples, who began writing her own music at age 16. "Not just physically, but spiritually, and with everything these service members have endured, I think it's an important message to share."

Staples' two other shows at Fort Gordon were at the Bicentennial Chapel March 12, and the aforementioned Fashion Show the next day. She said she hopes this is the beginning of several more appearances on post.

"I realize it's not much, but I want to be able to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed so much," she said. "This is the best way I know how to do it."