Photo By Staff Sgt. Youtoy Martin | Members of the brass section with the 56th Army Band, perform the national anthem on...... read more read more
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Portland, Ore. – Soldiers assigned to the 56th Army Band performed the national anthem before the start of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazer basketball game in Portland, Ore., Nov. 11.
The Joint Base Lewis McChord-stationed band received a thunderous ovation from thousands of basketball fans in the stands on Veterans Day, just before tipoff.
“It’s not too often you get applause like that for the anthem,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Adamski, the band’s operations noncommissioned and French horn player.
Adamski said the audience was applauding for all those present in uniform, adding that band members are the face that represent everything the community doesn’t often get to see when they’re exposed to the U.S. military.
Members of the 56th Army Band conduct more than 600 performances annually, including military functions on JBLM and musical support to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“One of the jobs of military musicians is to connect the people to their government,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4, Russell Houser, the bands director. “We have a great musical product and we will inspire.”
The Trailblazer’s game was one of many Veterans Day activities the band supported throughout the long weekend.
“It’s just an honor to do that,” said Houser, “especially on Veterans Day. Our anthem is one of the most precious gifts we can share with any veteran out there.”
Kim Jordan, a nurse from Vancouver, Wash., attended the basketball game to watch her son Daylon make the commitment to serve in the Armed Forces by taking the Oath of Enlistment following the bands performance.
Jordan said for her and her son, having the band and the appreciation which the public has for the military, made the enlistment a special occasion.
“We have family that are enlisted, who have served and are currently serving,” said Jordan. “That it’s Veterans Day, makes it that much more special.”
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2016 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 214688 |
| Location: | PORTLAND, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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