Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Troutman | 150516-N-ON468-211 HONOLULU (May 16, 2015) Musician 2nd Class Andrea Sematoske, a...... read more read more
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HONOLULU – The 30th Annual Combined Military Band Concert kicked off Military Appreciation Month and Armed Forces Day as military musicians played a free concert at the historic Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu May 16.
The Navy League of the United States Honolulu Council sponsored the free concert, which featured 60 musicians from all four branches of the U.S. military including the Army National Guard.
Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr. opened the concert with remarks of the important tradition of musicians serve in the military and their role in helping maintain peace and prosperity.
“It’s most fitting that we’re here tonight to celebrate National Military Appreciation Month, as we honor both current and former members of the U.S. armed forces who have defended our honor and freedom for the past 239 years,” said Harris. “For as long as there’s been a U.S. military, there’s been a military band. Tonight’s concert is a tribute to those who have served, who currently serve, and to the loved ones who support us while we serve.”
The performance lasted more than two hours and featured an array of both traditional music and popular jazz and country songs of the past 50 years. Navy Lt. Patrick Sweeten, a conductor of the Combined Military Band, said the performance signified not just a group of musicians sharing a stage together, but a symbol of unity across our country’s military branches.
“What you saw on stage tonight, collectively, is nearly 900 years of military service to our great nation,” said Sweeten. “All five bands who came together for this show feature outstanding musicians, and it was evident in their performance here tonight.”
Many of the audience members routinely attended the annual performance each year, and several spoke of both the professionalism and the proficiency of the musicians’ performance.
“I make it a point to come every year to support these young men and women, and I’m never disappointed,” said Ann Ruby, an Army veteran currently living in Honolulu. “The music, combined with the historical videos and photos displayed on the projector screen behind the musicians, makes for an incredibly moving experience. I’m already looking forward to next year’s show.”
One of the highlights of the evening’s performance belonged to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band Pacific Partnership acoustic trio, led by Musician 3rd Class Steven LaMonica, who performed an acoustic cover of 2012 American Idol winner Phillip Phillips’ hit song “Home.”
“That young man’s performance of that song was unbelievable,” said Donald Bloss, an attendee from Kaneohe. “I looked around after that last note rang out and the people around me - including myself – had tears in their eyes. It was an awesome performance and such an honor for these military members to share their talents with us here tonight.”
National Military Appreciation Month encourages U.S. citizens to observe May as a symbol of patriotic unity, to honor current and former members of the U.S. armed forces, as well as those who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2015 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 163821 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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