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Academy Winds Celebrates Diversity in New Mexico

  • Published
  • By MSgt Steven M. Przyzycki
  • The United States Air Force Academy Band
Farmington, New Mexico --  Your United States Air Force Academy Band's Academy Winds performed for a packed house here tonight at the Farmington Civic Center. In celebrating Veterans Day, the group's performance honored all men and women who have served in our armed forces, and included a special tribute to Navajo Code talkers from Farmington and nearby Shiprock, New Mexico.

"Veterans Day started out great for us," said TSgt Susan Govier, the group's clarinetist. "In the morning, we visited the local school administration building and paid our respects to the many heroes that have served our nation. Then we were honored guests at the Veterans Day 'Gourd Festival'." This annual event attracts Navajo, Comanche, Kiowa and other tribes. Some came from as far away as Oklahoma. Throughout the day, tribes participated in song and dance. The music was provided by ten drummers in a drum circle playing a giant Native American drum. Their haunting voices provided the melody as they sang stories of honor, dignity and service. Everyone present joined in the song, and danced while shaking gourds in rhythmic accompaniment. Navajo Larry Begaye from the White Shell Gourd Society invited Academy Winds to come forward to be honored by the assembly. All tribal members joined in song and danced around the group, praising them and thanking them for their service. TSgt Julia Taylor, the group's flutist said, "I am so honored...this is absolutely overwhelming."

Navajo Code Talkers Dave Patterson and Tom Jones were also honored in songs of praise and dance. The members of Academy Winds joined in to pay their respect to these heroes who secured America's victory in World War II. Once again, members of Academy Winds were brought forward to receive a special blessing from one of the elders in the assembly. After being anointed with smoke, the Navajo flag was presented to group leader MSgt Sarah Balian. "Please display this flag proudly and never forget us," said Larry Begaye. Navajo Michael Warren thanked Academy Winds for their service to our country. "I keep dropping my medicine bag for some reason," he said. "This is a sign." He presented the bag to MSgt Balian and said, "Please take this everywhere you go so that it may serve to watch over you and protect you...I thank you for your service." Fighting back tears, MSgt Balian said, "Thank you...I am honored beyond what I can express in words."

The concert later that evening was sponsored by The Farmington Daily News. John Elchert, publisher at the paper said, "What a fantastic show...the variety is overwhelming and the audience loves it." The performance included a tribute to Navajo Code Talkers with recorded narration provided by the Air Force Academy Band's Director of Operations CMSgt (ret) Fred Correll.

On Thursday, November 10th, Academy Winds performed for students at Shiprock High School. Sponsor Mark Amo said, "This is a great experience for these kids. You represent the Air Force so well...and our school population is over 90% Navajo...they really enjoyed the tribute to the Code Talkers." In the public performance that evening at the Thomas Performing Arts Center, several music students from the high school sat in with the Academy Winds on John Philip Sousa's march, The Black Horse Troop. Selected by Shiprock H.S. Band Director Bonnie Lee were Kayla Foster on flute, Rhiannan Bainbridge on clarinet and Jermain Charley on French Horn. "This was a real honor," said Jermain Charley. "I will never forget it."

Academy Winds will be performing in Albuquerque on November 12th and 13th. "The tour is off to a fantastic start," said TSgt Gerald Welker who covers horn, keyboards and lead vocals with the group. "We have real camaraderie in this group and that is something special that transcends to our performance each night." It is interesting to note that the Navajo people prefer to communicate in song. Music is indeed a universal language and throughout history it has proven to be a great vehicle for cultural understanding. This has definitely been prevalent on Academy Winds' tour. "It has been a great couple of days," said MSgt Alex Vieira who plays bassoon, saxophone and percussion with Academy Winds. "I will definitely always remember this Veterans Day."