The 220 piece American Fork H.S. Marching Band is presenting a very special show this season. It is entitled “The Greatest Generation” and is a tribute to the servicemen and women who have served their country in the Armed Forces. The music is a special arrangement of the “Band of Brothers” and the “Medal of Honor” video game series. The show has the color guard in “Rosie the Riveter” costumes and has 7 fifteen foot panels as backdrops picturing the bombing of Pearl Harbor, “I Want You” recruitment posters, the Iwo Jima picture, the Times Square Kiss and other patriotic scenes. The show itself is 8 minutes of great music expressing the feelings of war including, shock, fear, sadness, longing for home and the feeling of victory.
Each member of the American Fork Band was given two dog tags, one with their own name on it and another with a relative that has served in the military. The students wear these tags under their uniforms and are dedicating each show to their memory. The students have researched these and other names and have developed a strong connection to their past and a strong feeling of gratitude for the service and sacrifice of their relatives. We have been privileged to have had several representatives from the Military come and speak with the students about their service to their country and what it means to serve in the Armed Forces in times of peace and war.
The band held a family show attended by over 1000 people including two local VFW Posts and representatives from the Army National Guard. The band performed their show twice and had the opportunity to hear from Major General Patrick Wilson, Deputy Commanding General US Army Pacific. The band will be in competition through Nov 7 and will perform this show 8 times during the season. The final performance will be in St George, Utah on November 7th at the Bands of America Western Regional.
It has been an honor for our band to experience the intense feelings of patriotism and gratitude that has come to our students during this experience. We feel deeply about what we are doing and feel it is but a small token on our part to pay tribute and to thank those from our past who have sacrificed so much to keep our great nation on course and to maintain our freedoms and happiness that we all enjoy.
John Miller, Director of Bands
American Fork H.S.
AMERICAN FORK, UTAH The American Fork High School Marching Band will debut their 2009 field show entitled “The Greatest Generation” on Monday, September 21, 2009 at American Fork High School at 7:00 pm. This year’s show pays tribute to those who have fought to preserve our country’s freedom. Major General Patrick Wilson, Deputy Commanding General US Army Pacific (USARPAC) and Colonel Jerry Acton, Operations Officer for Utah Army National Guard will be our special guest speakers. Also in attendance will be Lt. Colonel Adam Robinson and Staff Sargent Bric Simpson. Several veterans from the community have also been invited to attend as we honor them.
Along with their debut performance of “The Greatest Generation”, students will perform the Armed Forces Medley as members of the audience stand and are recognized for their service.
This year each member of the Band will be marching in honor of a friend or family member who has served our country. In a special presentation, students will be given dog tags bearing their name as well as the name of the individual whom they will be marching in honor of. These dog tags will be worn throughout the 2009 competition season.
Stephannie Cottle
cottlesb@gmail.com
