WILMINGTON, N.C. – Navy Band New England performed for an enthusiastic crowd April 2 at the New Hanover County Public Library during Wilmington Navy Week.
Jamie Schrum, Children’s Librarian at New Hanover hosted the band, who played classic rock hits, Top 40 and country to an eager crowd.
“I think a lot of people think of the Navy and other branches of the military in terms of combat,” said Schrum. Schrum herself is from a Navy family, her father having retired as a Lt. Cmdr. after 20 years of service. “It is nice to see how you give back to the community and how you are the community. You’re our neighbors and friends and brothers and sisters and family, so it’s nice to see the Navy having fun with everyone.”
Musician 1st Class Colin Greggs is no stranger to the stage and has been in the Navy as a Musician for almost nine years. Greggs attests that, while polls show that Americans view the military as the most trustworthy agency or branch of government, they are not aware of the diversity in its myriad of different capabilities and missions.
“People don’t necessarily think about relief after a Tsunami hits in Japan or anywhere else in the world,” said Greggs, referring to the humanitarian missions carried out by the Navy. “They don’t think about Seabees in Afghanistan building schools, so showing the other things we do – the band…it’s pretty important because there’s a lot going on. We have different facets.”
Navy Band performances are just one of many events in which Sailors are slated to participate throughout the course of Wilmington Navy Week including but not limited to visits to local public schools and a build with Habitat for Humanity. Wilmington Navy Week is one of 14 Navy Weeks being held across America in 2019. For more information and a schedule of events, visit the Wilmington Navy Week website at https://www.outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Wilmington/.