News>Air Force, Army bands join forces for Constitution Day concert in Colonial Williamsburg
Photos
The Langley Air Force Base Honor guard posts the colors during the National Anthem at the fourth annual Constitution Day celebration in Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 15, 2012. Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Warner, Air Force Heritage of America Band commander, conducts the AFHOA and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command bands during the annual Constitution Day celebration in Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 15, 2012. Approximately 50 performers in their respective service dress uniforms performed patriotic classics in honor of Constitution Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
Members of the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command bands perform during the fourth annual Constitution Day ceremony in Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 15, 2012. This year marked the fourth year the AFHOA Band performed in the show, and the second year of joining forces with TRADOC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
Drummers with the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps perform during the fourth annual Constitution Day ceremony in Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 15, 2012. The Fife and Drum Corps joined the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command bands to perform an 80-minute set of songs in honor of Constitution Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
Musicians with the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps perform during the fourth annual Constitution Day ceremony in Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 15, 2012. Constitution Day is a federal observance recognizing the adoption of the U. S. Constitution. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hawkins/Released)
by Senior Airman Jason J. Brown
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
9/18/2012 - WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Amidst the quaint store fronts, cafes and brick-hewn streets of Colonial Williamsburg, Va., the U.S. military's world-class musicians took the stage to celebrate the nation's Constitution in a rousing, patriotic concert at Merchant's Square, Sept. 15.
Soldiers of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band and Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band joined forces to perform an 80-minute set of songs in honor of Constitution Day, including patriotic classics, contemporary country hits and cinematic scores. Approximately 50 performers decked out in their respective service dress uniforms participated.
The Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps joined the show as well, marching in clad in their distinctive red uniforms and regalia and performing traditional American marches.
Throughout the show, guest narrator Raymond Jones, an on-air personality from a local public radio station, guided fans in attendance through the storied history of the birth of the U.S., from colonization through revolution and independence. Character actors portraying presidents George Washington and James Madison performed historic speeches promoting the show's titular theme, "To Support and Defend."
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Warner, the AFHOA Band commander, said Merchant's Square's colonial charm and American ancestry provided the perfect site for the Constitution Day performance. This year marked the fourth year the AFHOA Band performed in the show, and the second year of joining forces with TRADOC.
"Williamsburg is a place where both commands have interacted with the community for many years. What better place to have this concert than in the seat of American history?," said Warner. "When we achieved joint basing a few years ago, we saw this as the perfect opportunity to represent the joint base to the peninsula community."
U.S. Army Maj. Leo Pena, the commander of the TRADOC Band, echoed Warner's sentiment.
"We're always happy to reach out and be part of the community, as it's what we do as a band," Pena said. "It's even better to enjoy doing the show in this joint partnership. We look forward to these opportunities."
The local community appreciated the show, with hundreds packing Merchant's Square's brick streets. Fans camped in lawn chairs, watched from sidewalks and cafe patios, and listened from storefronts - any place they could to get a glimpse of the band and the sound of the music.
Melissa Baylor, a Williamsburg resident and mother of two, called the performance "outstanding," and said she was more than happy to bring her children out to enjoy the "wonderful weather and beautiful music."
The TRADOC Band accomplished more than 400 mission performances in the last year, with nearly 15 concert performances. The AFHOA Band tallies nearly 300 performances annually, with a growing schedule slated for 2013.
