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The U.S. Air Force Band commemorates Memorial Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Pagnard
  • The U.S. Air Force Band
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C. --  The United States Air Force Band commemorated Memorial Day weekend with several events throughout the National Capital Region. On Sat., May 26, the premier rock band of the Air Force, Max Impact, offered an inspiring and energetic performance at the National Harbor's Sunset Plaza. In the blazing heat, they performed for locals and tourists alike to honor our fallen veterans.

As in years past, the Singing Sergeants performed in the Memorial Day concert with the National Symphony Orchestra on the west lawn of the Capitol Building on Sun., May 27. Unfortunately, the event was cut short by severe thunderstorms.

At 8 a.m. on Memorial Day morning, a brass quintet from the Ceremonial Brass offered musical support at the National WW II Memorial Day Ceremony. Bugler Technical Sgt. Karl Sweedy performed a stunning rendition of Taps as a part of the ceremony. An hour later, Technical Sgt. Paige Martin, the vocalist for the Airmen of Note and another bugler from the Ceremonial Brass, Technical Sgt. Michael Ramos, inspired the attendees of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Air Force Memorial which was sponsored by the Air Force Association and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

Later that day, members of the Ceremonial Brass and Airmen of Note, led by Maj. Scott Guidry and Senior Master Sgt. Scott Hinds, braved the heat, marching in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. "The USAF Band was proud to be a part of the joint force formation representing the Department of Defense in the heart of our nation's capital. Thousands of patriotic Americans braved the heat and cheered all along the route, as we honored those servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. We were inspired!" Guidry said. The culminating event for the Band was a sunset concert at the Air Force Memorial featuring the Concert Band and a vocal quartet from the Singing Sergeants. This performance also featured Mr. Aaron Gilchrist from NBC 4 as a guest announcer.

All of our members who participated in these events were honored to commemorate Memorial Day 2012, paying tribute to the more 2 million military members who have given their lives in service to our country.