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Commander Larry H. Lang Commander Larry H. Lang Becomes Ninth Colonel in Air Force Band History

  • Published
  • By Master Sergeant Steven M. Przyzycki
  • The United States Air Force Academy Band
Colorado Springs, Colorado --  Monday, October 3, 2011 was an historic day for the United States Air Force Academy Band as its Commander, Larry H. Lang, was officially promoted to the rank of Colonel. The presiding official for the ceremony was Lieutenant General Mike Gould, Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy. "This is a great day for the Academy Band and the United States Air Force Academy," said General Gould. "Colonel Lang is only the ninth active duty commander* in the band career field to be promoted to the rank of full Colonel in the history of the Air Force. This is really special and tells you what kind of leader he is," he continued. General Gould outlined Colonel Lang's unique path to the military, having directed college bands at the University of New Hampshire and McNeese State University for 10 years before entering the Air Force. He also spoke of Colonel Lang's remarkable family military heritage. Lang's father was an Army Air Forces C47 crewmember during World War II, and transported wounded soldiers and supplies over "the hump" in India and China. His stepfather was a career soldier and served with General MacArthur during the occupation of Japan, then later in two tours of duty in Vietnam. And finally, Colonel Lang's stepfather, Raymond Primm, joined the Army as a teenager and fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir as one of the "Chosin Few" during the Korean War. Mr. Primm also served in the United States Air Force in the Nuclear Weapons Testing Program.

Serving as narrator for the event was the band's Deputy Commander, First Lieutenant Jason Plosch. Music for the ceremony was provided by the band's Stellar Brass and Wild Blue Country. The Colors were presented by the United States Air Force Academy Honor Guard and the National Anthem was sung by Technical Sergeants Julie Bradley and Andrew Benton. Chief (ret) Fred Correll, Director of Band Operations, delivered the invocation.

In attendance were four distinguished Air Force bandleaders, former Academy Band Commanders Colonel (retired) Bruce Gilkes and Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Carl "Chevy" Chevallard, and former Air Force Band career field Commanders Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Roger Sebby, and Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Rich Shelton. Also present was Professor Ray Cramer, Emeritus Director of Bands from Indiana University and past President of the American Bandmasters Association and the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Convention. Representing the Air Force Band in Washington D.C was Chief Master Sergeant Barbara Taylor. From the senior staff at the Academy was Colonel Tamra L. Rank, Vice Superintendent; Colonel (retired) David Cannon, Director of Communications; and the Director of Staff for the Academy, Ms. Gail Colvin. Numerous current and former Academy bandsmen and friends from Colorado Springs community music organizations were also in attendance. SMSgt (ret) Ken Schinstine, former Academy bandsman was there to represent the Air Force Musicians Association. Completing the audience were Colonel Lang's wife Donna, his daughter Jinny, his son Ryan, his mother Mrs. Abbie Glenn, his sister Mrs. Helen Giacomo and her husband Don Giacomo, and their daughter Mrs. Christine Halk.

In his remarks, Colonel Lang thanked all of the Air Force Academy Band members. "I am immensely honored to serve with such great professionals...What we do makes a difference for the Academy and our Air Force...never forget that. You serve in a noble profession and I am enormously proud of you." He went on to thank the former commanders of the band and the many musicians present who had a profound influence on his career. In particular, he thanked Col (ret) Gilkes and Lt Col (ret) Chevallard for their mentorship. He expressed great appreciation for his first "boss" Lt Col (ret) Shelton. Colonel Lang said, "It was a toss-up whether my first assignment would be at Offutt Air Force Base or at the Band of Flight at Wright Patterson...I really believe God led me to Ohio and I am so fortunate to have had the guidance of such a great commander like Colonel Shelton...I am most grateful." He went on to thank Chief Master Sergeant Barbara Taylor for inspiring him to pursue a career in the United States Air Force. Colonel Lang met Chief Taylor at a conducting workshop in 1987 where she began a two year campaign to get Colonel Lang to audition to become and Air Force bandleader, introducing him to the vast excellence that resides in our Air Force Band career field.

The Colonel thanked his mother for raising him as a single mom after his father died and before she remarried. He reiterated his great appreciation for his father's, stepfather's, and father-in-law's service and sacrifice as members of the military. He thanked his children for "always making the best of each situation we were in, and turning out to be two of the brightest, caring, wonderful people I know. I am so proud of the two of you." The most heartwarming moment of all occurred when Colonel Lang thanked his wife of 31 years, Donna. "This is your promotion too," he said. "You have been there through every step of my two careers, and loved me and supported me and been my biggest fan, and my most honest critic." He thanked her for her sacrifices and said that "her faith in God, unshakable good character and unending capacity for love and compassion for me and our family inspires me every day...thank you so much...I love you." He dedicated a special musical selection to her entitled, "Without You," by Keith Urban. The song was performed by the band's Wild Blue Country. Mrs. Lang stepped forward to join her husband as he said, "Donna, I thought the best way for me to tell you how I feel is through music...I couldn't have done this without you."

*The other 8 active duty bandleaders who attained the rank of Colonel are: George S. Howard, Arnald D. Gabriel, Ronald W. Carl, Benny L. Knudsen, Lowell E. Graham, H. Bruce Gilkes, Dennis M. Layendecker, and A. Philip Waite