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Band Of Liberty celebrates Air Force 60th

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  • By the Band of Liberty
  • ESC-BA
Thursday --  The USAF Band of Liberty recently concluded a span of four concerts honoring the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force. The festivities began with an Air Force Ball on 8 Sep 2007 at Westover Air Reserve Base, Chicopee Falls, MA. The event was a fun filled evening with base personnel and local community members in attendance. The Liberty Big Band performed a "throwback" concert with selections that might have been heard at a military ball 60 years ago. Brigadier Wade Farris, Commander of the AFRC 439th Airlift Wing, lauded the band's performance and said it was the highlight of the evening.

On 14 Sep 2007, the Liberty Big Band had the honor of performing for the home populace at Hanscom AFB, MA. Similar to the Westover Ball, Hanscom's event featured base and community members honoring the traditions of the Air Force. Attendees were treated to a brief performance by international recording star, Maureen McGovern. Ms. McGovern was a guest of Lt Gen Johnson and gave the audience a preview of her upcoming 60th Anniversary of the AF concert with the Band of Liberty.

On a brisk evening in Cambridge, MA, the Band of Liberty had the great privilege of performing a Heritage to Horizons concert with Ms. McGovern at the Kresge Auditorium, MIT Campus. The band warmed up the audience with "swing era" classics and a symphony written especially for the USAF Band of Liberty honoring the core values of the Air Force: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. After a brief intermission, Ms. McGovern took the stage and absolutely wowed all in attendance. Her vocalizing was described as "stunning", "breathtaking", and "simply marvelous". It was a night that will not soon be forgotten.

The 60th Anniversary performances culminated in a small ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. Representative Donato and Dimasi honored the Air Force Band of Liberty and Lt Gen Johnson with proclamations declaring September 16-22 as Air Force Week. After the ceremony, the Liberty Big Band performed a short musical tribute with music spanning the Air Force's last 60 years.