Recollections - November Photos Revealed
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --
Photo 17:
Unfortunately, we did not receive any information about this photograph featuring President Harry S. Truman and General Henry "Hap" Arnold. Please feel free to email us if you have any information or recollections about this photograph.
Photo 18:
President Kennedy receives original pressings of records by the service bands. With him (left to right), are the conductors, Marine Lt. Col. Albert Schoepper, Navy Lt. Anthony Mitchell, Army Col. Hugh Curry and Air Force Capt. Harry H. Meuser; Cultural Center Board Chairman Roger L. Stevens and RCA Victor Vice Presidnt George R. Marek. (Please note: titles of the individuals are from the time the photograph was taken)
The group is looking at an LP to be released in RCA's new Dynagroove process. Each service band recorded an album, for sale to the public, with 95-cents of each album sold going to the National Cultural Center building fund. This facility is now named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The recording session for this album took place on December 9, 1962, at Crampton Auditorium, Howard University, Washington, D.C. Colonel George S. Howard conducted the selections featuring The USAF Band while Lt. Robert Landers directed those selections using The USAF Band and The Singing Sergeants. The first LPs were printed with covers noting the "National Cultural Center." However, following President Kennedy's assassination, the art work on the covers was changed to "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" and the LP's were reissued.
Our sincere thanks to Chief Master Sgt. (USAF, Ret.) Harry Gleeson for his assistance in identifying this event. For additional information on the history of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, you can visit the following website.
Photo 19:
I remember that night well, as President Reagan came up to me after the show to thank us for a 'wonderful job'. I was actually just waiting for one of our saxophone players to gather up all of his instruments when I saw the President coming toward me with two Secret Service agents in tow. He also wanted me to tell Bobbie that Nancy loved her singing, and wanted to meet her.
- Chief Master Sgt (Ret.) Lawrence "Larry" Trautman, USAF Band
The occasion was the 40th Anniversary of the USO, on October 17, 1981, in the International Ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel. The (music) was our Glenn Miller show and I believe we performed the Big Band Medley that Mike Crotty had put together. If my memory serves me correctly, this was one of the very first shows we performed in the World War II uniforms. I think we actually rented the uniforms for the first couple performances, then the Band commissioned uniforms to be made especially for the Airmen of Note for these shows.
I noticed as soon as the Band began to play, the President stopped his conversation with the female guest seated next to him at the head table; he looked over at the Band, and we had his full attention until the show ended. Then, after the show, as we were all headed back towards our dressing rooms, two Secret Service gentlemen caught up with me in the hallway and explained that the President wanted to meet me. I went with them, and while conversing with President and Mrs. Reagan, they asked the White House photographer to take a picture of (the four of us). The president was thrilled with the music, and they all expressed how great the band was and how much they had enjoyed our performance. Two or three months after the photo was taken, an envelope from the White House with the photo came to the Band and was passed along to me. The President and Mrs. Reagan had autographed the photo: "To Bobbie Coonin: Thanks for making it an enjoyable evening" and they both signed their names. The photo and the opportunity have always remained an incredible memory, and a special highlight of my Air Force Band career.
- Senior Master Sgt (Ret.) Bobbie Coonin, USAF Band
We were delighted to learn of these behind-the-scenes memories from such an historic event. SMSgt (Ret.) Coonin was kind enough to pass along a link to President Regan's remarks from that evening.