Army Band goes Live at the Firework Show

Photo By Sgt. Crystal Reidy | Staff Sgt. Eric Michael, 108th Army Band, plays patriotic music at the Arizona Celebration of Freedom Concert in Mesa, July 4.  

MESA, UNITED STATES

07.04.2016

Story by Sgt. Crystal Reidy 

123rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MESA, Ariz. - Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers helped East Valley residents celebrate our nation’s Independence at the Arizona Celebration of Freedom Concert in Mesa, July 4.
The members of the 108th Army Band brought a unique sound to the annual fireworks display by synchronizing the background music live with the fireworks.
This was the first year the band played at the annual Mesa event and the first time the Mesa event had live music accompany the fireworks, said Staff Sgt. Eric Michael, noncommissioned officer in charge of the brass quintet.
“It is a great opportunity to come out to this community event and see the community showing their patriotism,” Michael said.
Mark Jackson, a mesa resident who watched the show with his kids and grandkids, said the live music added so much to the show. He said he has attended the Mesa July 4th event for more than five years, but this years was by far his favorite because of the live music provided by the Army Band.
“I was blown away by how much the live music added to the feel of the fireworks,” Jackson said. “I really hope they do live music every year versus just playing taped music.”
Kathleen Winn, a candidate for Mesa City Council District 2 and Mesa resident, said having the Army Band fit nicely with the other patriotic displays such as vehicles and historical reenactments.
“Hearing the band as the fireworks went off created a special moment as we celebrated our 240th year of Independence,” Winn said.
Winn said having the band play at the event was especially impactful for the veterans in attendance.
“Mesa has thousands of veterans and seeing the band and hearing the patriotic music is a wonderful way to thank our veterans because it shows we appreciate how hard they have fought for our country,” Winn said.
The Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom had more than just fireworks, there were activities, displays and events such as musical entertainment on two different stages. The celebration had ‘A Hero's Welcome’ honoring local military heroes representing different branches of the United States Armed Forces and a naturalization ceremony welcoming 100 new U.S. citizens representing 30 countries.
Displays also included historical presentation of the flags of the United States and Revolutionary War reenactments.
Other displays included a Fallen Soldier Memorial that honored the Arizona fallen heroes from the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, a military vehicles display that included Charlie Chopper, now based in Mesa, which flew combat missions during the Vietnam War.

• Date Taken: 07.04.2016
• Date Posted: 07.09.2016 00:50
• Story ID: 203487
• Location: MESA, US