District teacher, sailor in right key
By Jeff Gallatin
North Olmsted
Published Nov. 25, 2009

School district musical instructor and Navy veteran Dan Greene hit the right note before millions of people last week.

Greene, the choir director for the North Olmsted Middle School and assistant orchestra director at North Olmsted High School, sang the national anthem at the Monday Night Football game between the Cleveland Browns and AFC North Division rival Baltimore Ravens. Greene, who is a member of the Naval Reserve and Assault Craft Unit 2, currently based in Buffalo, was asked by the USO to perform the national anthem as part of the ceremonies put together by the Browns to note Veterans Day and honor past and present members of the armed services. The weekly NFL Monday night game is marking it’s 40th year on national television this year and is seen by millions of people each week.

Greene said he really didn’t think about the size and scope of the audience until friends and acquaintances started talking to him about it later in the week.

“A lot of people seemed to take notice,” he said. “I heard about being on TV and a lot of people heard it on WMMS (The Browns flagship radio station) and asked me about it. You can’t beat being on the Buzzard for getting attention around here.”

Greene said the attention has run the gamut of people telling him how much they enjoyed hearing him to some school officials giving him affectionate grief for not telling them he was going to perform at the Browns game.

“A lot of people told me they were surprised when they realized it was me doing the singing,” he said.

Greene said he didn’t think anything of not mentioning his upcoming performance to fellow staff and students in the district.

“I’ve always separated my activities in the Navy from what I do in the district,” he said.

School District Superintendent Cheryl Dubsky said the district was pleased to learn of Greene’s nationwide performance.

“He’s such a great guy,” she said. “The kids and the rest of the staff love him. He’s got a beautiful voice. It’s great for him and the district that he was able to do that.”

Greene said he has performed the National Anthem and other songs at different events like Cleveland Cavalier basketball games, community activities and many military and national holiday events. He said he was aware that he was performing in a stadium before about 70,000 people and millions more on TV, but noted that he has been more nervous.

“I was really nervous about singing before some fellow sailors,” he said. “I always want to do it right, but you really want to get it right for them because of what it means.”

Greene admits to getting a thrill to being able to perform the National Anthem and other patriotic efforts at different events. Since the Naval Reserve where he was stationed in the Cleveland area was closed several years ago, Greene transferred to the Buffalo unit.

“I do a lot of the Naval ceremonies around the area,” he said. “It is something I appreciate being able to do for other members of the armed services.”

Greene, originally from Amherst, also has a brother in the Navy.

“It means something strong to our family and many others,” he said. “I’m glad I get the opportunity to perform music which is special to other people.”