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KAPOLEI, HAWAII - Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers of the 111th Army Band celebrated their 100th anniversary alongside distinguished guests, family, and friends by holding a commemoration party on Sept. 21, 2019.
Among the distinguished guests were Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, Deputy Adjutant General and commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard.
“October 3, 2019 will mark the 100th anniversary for the federal recognition of the 111th Army Band,” said Hara. “The most important asset we have is the band reaching out into the community.”
The band can be counted on to perform at various venues to include the governor’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, Youth Challenge Academy graduations, deployment and welcome home ceremonies, numerous shopping malls, and schools throughout the island of Oahu - just to name a few.
“The legacy of the 111th Army Band has stood the test of time,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Curtis Y. Hiyane, 111th Army Band commander. “The band is the oldest and longest surviving unit in the Hawaii Army National Guard and we must never forget that and always honor the past.”
Hiyane has been the commander of the band for 22 years, since 1997. During his time as commander the band has successfully completed missions in Alaska, Louisiana, Guam, California, Oregon, Washington, and the neighbor islands from Kauai to the Big Island of Hawaii.
The band was organized and federally recognized on Oct. 3, 1919, and has gone through various transitions and locations over the years while never losing site of their mission to connect the military with society through the universal language of music.
Gerald Nichols, former commander and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Retired, experienced many transitions during his tenure in the band. Nichols was instrumental in moving the band from a classroom in Kaimuki to their permanent and better suited home in Pearl City.
“I just want to thank all those who served with me in the band and continue to serve in the band. In the future we will continue to make the 111th Army a very special band,” said Nichols.
During the ceremony, former member of the 111th Army Band and creator of the band’s logo back in 1982, Nolan Santa Ana, presented the band with a proclamation on behalf of state senator Kurt Fevella. The proclamation highlighted the bands accomplishments and congratulated them on 100 years of music and being federally recognized.
United States Army bands stationed worldwide provide music throughout the spectrum of military operations. Instilling the will to fight and win in our Soldiers, foster the support of our citizens, and promote America’s national interests at home and abroad.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.09.2020 23:35 |
| Story ID: | 364710 |
| Location: | KAPOLEI, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 149 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 111th Army Band 100th Year Celebration, by SSG Tinisha Mellein, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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