2nd MAW Band�Honors American Flag In New York
(June 20, 2011) |
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| TROY, N.Y. (MCN - June 16, 2011) — In a dimly lit concert
hall in Troy, N.Y., nearly 800 people came together to honor
the American flag with music from the 2nd Marine Aircraft
Wing Band. The lights in the concert hall had been turned
off, leaving one solitary spotlight shining on the American
flag carried by a United States Air Force color guard. |
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band performs in concert at the Troy Savings Bank Concert Hall in Troy, N.Y., June 11. About 800 people attended the concert. The crowd consisted largely of military veterans who were compelled to stand on their feet for a musical version of the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Gunnery Sgt. Victor D. Miranda, the drum major for the band,
led a slow and somber Pledge of Allegiance. Compelled by the
scene and the serious tune struck by the band, the crowd of
mostly military veterans was compelled to stand and place
their hands over their hearts, many wiping away tears from
their eyes.
Troy, N.Y., the birthplace of Uncle Sam,
according to legend, hosted the 2nd MAW Band to perform in
concert at their 32nd annual Flag Day celebration and parade
June 11–12.
The band tried to convey the symbolism
and meaning of the American flag to the crowds by playing
patriotic music such as “The Gallant 7th March,” “American
Pageant,” “United Through it All,” “American Salute,” “The
Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Semper Fidelis,” “the Pledge of
Allegiance” and “Taps.”
“The American flag means to
me, literally everything,” said Cpl. David P. Shearin, a
percussionist in the band. “Tradition, family, anything to
do with the military or the Marine Corps, it's the
foundation that keeps everything that we know and do in
place. It's basically that model that shows who we are as
Americans. It represents our national identity. Semper
Fidelis.”
Thousands of people lined the parade route
cheering the band, the Troy detachment of the Marine Corps
League and the Air Force color guard as they marched past.
American flags fluttered in the breeze and children waved
them about. For many veterans, the flag is a symbol of what
they had fought and their friends had died for.
“As a
Marine, the flag means everything to me,” said Gerard
LaBarge, the commandant of the Troy Marine Corps League
Detachment. “It's a symbol of our great country. The public
should have more respect for the American flag. Ever since
9/11, it's been up and down. At first, everybody flew an
American flag and now it's diminished and I don't think that
should be. I think they should fly it every day, 9/11 or
not, Memorial Day or not, they should fly it every day.”
The band plays at numerous patriotic events locally and
across the East Coast every year. Each event that they
perform at carries the same weight as the one before.
Through their performance, they support and honor America.
“We're involved for the morale of our Marines, for
recruiting and also for community relations events to
support patriotism,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert A.
Szabo, the officer in charge of the band. “For events like
Flag Day, the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day,
it's very important to get within the community. We support
many veterans that have done so much before us to protect
our freedoms. Last evening, we gathered with them and the
older veterans were telling us their stories as well. We
have a pretty remarkable job where we can go out and our
mission is to support the veterans and the community
relations and the patriotism, but we also feel stronger
because of the experiences of those before us.” |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Scott L. Tomaszycki
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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