MIAMI (WSVN) - A South Florida veteran is talking about his meet-and-greet with Barbra Streisand after he and his family won tickets to see her in concert.
The legendary singer shared the spotlight with one of her biggest fans, who happens to be a veteran who is still on a long road to recovery. Army veteran Sergio Lopez said he was overjoyed with just seeing the show, but Streisand decided to highlight him during her concert, Monday night.
Lopez said Streisand’s music brought him comfort on the battlefields of Iraq.
“I took a shot in the dark. I said, ‘What do I have to lose? Let me send an email, let me see if anyone responds,'” Lopez said.
He sent the email about his journey to radio station Easy 93.1. He wrote about how his life was impacted when his Humvee ran over an explosive device, leaving Lopez with permanent hearing loss, a spinal cord injury and a traumatic brain injury.
Last week, on Friday, 7News was on hand as the radio station gave Lopez tickets to Streisand’s Miami performance. The story aired and caught the attention of many, including the singer herself. “Then we went to the hotel, turned on the TV, and there was a story that really captured my heart,” she said on stage. “Rather than tell you about it, why don’t I just show it to you.”
Streisand showed the 7News story to the crowd while on stage before highlighting Lopez in the audience. “Welcome Sergio Lopez! Thank you for your service to our great country,” she said to Lopez.
Lopez was also taken backstage to meet Streisand and actor Jaime Foxx.
“Just to be in her presence was such an honor, such a great feeling,” Lopez said.
A day after the eventful meeting, Lopez went on with his typical routine, like going to the Veterans Affairs hospital where he receives treatment three times a week.
Streisand also signed an American flag that Lopez said he will treasure for a long time, along with all the other kind gestures she’s given to him.
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