Viva Fiesta: The Destroyers of Navy Band Southwest increases Navy awareness in Military City USA

Photo By Burrell Parmer | SAN ANTONIO – (April 25, 2015) Sailors of Navy Band Southwest’s rock band, The Destroyers, rock the crowds during Fiesta’s Flambeau Night Parade. The band, joined by more than 100 Sailors from the San Antonio-based commands, moved down the route thrilling crowds with awe-inspiring sights and sounds. The Flambeau Night Parade is the largest illuminated parade in the world. The parade’s theme was “Television: Then and Now”. Fiesta is the nation’s third largest of its kind behind, only Mardi Gras and the Rose Festival. More than 3 million people participate in more than 100 Fiesta events, many focused on the military and its influence. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer/Released)  

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES

05.01.2015

Story by Burrell Parmer 

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

SAN ANTONIO - For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Navy Band traveled to the Alamo City to participate in Fiesta 2015, April 20 - 25. The Destroyers, an entertainment ensemble from U.S. Navy Band Southwest, performed for two high schools during their one-week stay.

The Destroyers' first performance was for students of Winston Churchill High School held April 20 in the northwest part of the city.

Joined by Sailors of Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, the band's purpose was to spread Navy awareness and provide students the opportunity to interact with recruiters to ascertain information on the numerous opportunities and benefits the Navy offers.

After the performance, The Destroyers visited one of the band classes; answering questions and providing their musical experiences in the Navy.

Part of the Music for Recruiting program, the band is a valuable tool used to pique students' interest in the Navy and ease the process of engaging with recruiters.

On April 22, The Destroyers performed at Highlands High School located in the city's southeast community.

According to Tiffany Venzor, lead counselor of Highlands, the performances lit up the students.

"Our students were excited and really enjoyed a lot of the songs the band performed," said Venzor, a native of Austin. "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of our students who have not seen a service band play at their school."

When first approached about the band coming to the school, Venzor initially pictured the traditional band.

"Honestly, at first, I thought it was going to be the marching band. So we were planning to have the performance on the field. Then found out it was going to be a Rock/Top 40 band, which made it more exciting to have at Highlands."

Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Adrian Marez, a recruiter from Navy Recruiting Station Southeast and native of Harlingen, Texas, recruits from Highlands.

"The students loved it. They didn't know that the Navy had a band," said Marez, who is serving his first tour as a recruiter. "I've visit the school five times, and this event has provided a lot of face time with students I haven't seen; the more Navy presence the better."

In addition to playing high schools, the band also performed in the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, the Battle of Flowers Parade, Navy Day at The Alamo, the Flambeau Night Parade, Fiesta de los Reyes, and were feature on Great Day SA, a local morning show.

For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrc/.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2015
• Date Posted: 05.01.2015 11:58
• Story ID: 161941
• Location: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US
• Hometown: CARROLLTON, TX, US
• Hometown: HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ, US
• Hometown: HARLINGEN, TX, US
• Hometown: MONTEREY, CA, US