Following that we set up at the base of the memorial, and played the Star Spangled Banner again at 9:00 for the National Commander of the American Legion, Mr. Fang A. Wong, as he lay a wreath, followed by Taps.
Following that ceremony we played our concert for the guests in attendance. While we were doing that trumpeters Ron Geers and Allen Timmerman went up to a location on the ridge of Punchbowl to play Taps (with an echo) for an AMVETS dedication. There were also 9 burials at the cemetery today. A very busy place indeed. That's one big difference between Punchbowl and the Normandy American Cemetery - Punchbowl is an active cemetery with numerous burials all the time.
One of the people in attendance at our location was another Pearl Harbor survivor, who during WW II went on to serve both in the Pacific and Europe. Amazing people and an honor to get to meet them.
Well, that was the last of our performances in and around Pearl Harbor for the 70th Anniversary. There was a parade last night for the 70th Anniversary that featured local bands, a Marine Band, etc., that went right in front of our hotel. That made it handy for parade watching (no we didn't march.)
A day of R & R tomorrow, then the band heads home on Saturday, arriving at the Detroit Airport early Sunday morning (the 5 hour time difference works against us this time.)
Thank you all for your prayers and support as we represented you in this important event. As the wonderful gentleman who was the Pearl Harbor survivor this morning said, too many of the younger generations don't really know anything about Pearl Harbor these days, except that it was a movie. How sad. Please be supportive of all our veterans, and especially if you have the chance to thank a WW II veteran, please do so.....there aren't many of them left.
No comments:
Post a Comment