Since the days of George Washington, when fifes and drums led the charge into battle, bands have been an integral part of the military mission, enhancing image, troop morale, and public relations.
A rich and varied legacy stems from the past, conjuring up visions of brass bands during the Civil War, marches in the park led by John Phillip Sousa, dance bands led by Glenn Miller during WWII, or the lone trumpeter playing Taps at Arlington National Cemetery.
Military bands have led the way in many a pass-in-review by foreign dignitaries, the funeral procession of President Kennedy, the joyous return of our POWs from Vietnam, and the victory parades following Desert Storm.