US Army Ceremonial Units Celebrate Baltimore’s Oldest Holiday
Washington (PRWEB) September 07, 2017 -- WHO & WHAT: The U.S. Army Military District of Washington's elite ceremonial units, The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), are scheduled to celebrate Baltimore's oldest holiday, Defenders' Day with a Patriotic Performance and U.S. Army Band concert.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9
WHERE: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland
EVENT #1: 12:30 - 2 p.m. Patriotic Performance
Pre-show music performed by The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.”
Future Soldier Swearing-In Ceremony: Brig. Gen. Robert C. Frick, deputy commanding general, 29th Infantry Division, will administer the oath of enlistment to young men and women from the national capital region. The new recruits will join the ranks of the U.S. Army active-duty, the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
Patriotic Performance hosted by: Brig. Gen. Robert C. Frick, deputy commanding general, 29th Infantry Division, is a one-hour patriotic journey that captures 242 years of Soldiers’ stories covering generations of men and women who have answered the call to uphold America’s freedom and democracy.
Active-duty Soldiers, from “Pershing’s Own” and The Old Guard will uniquely blend traditional military customs and courtesies with live-action performance that showcases military discipline, historical reenactments, and traditional and modern music.
EVENT #2: 7 – 8:45 p.m. The U.S. Army Band Concert with the Presidential Salute Guns Battery
Musicians from “Pershing’s Own” will perform Tchaikovsky’s “Overture 1812” featuring The U.S. Army Concert Band, Chorus and Herald Trumpets. “The 90-minute performance is perhaps one of the finest examples of storytelling through music,” said Col. Andrew Esch, the 11th leader and commander of The U.S. Army Band.
Alongside patriotic favorites by John Philip Sousa, Randol Alan Bass’ Casey at the Bat, a medley of music from Alan Menken’s Beauty and the Beast.
The performance will conclude with a bang – literally! The Old Guard Presidential Salute Battery will fire 75-mm blank shells with one-and-a half pounds of gunpowder. As dusk settles, a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment will take place as pyrotechnic “bombs” are fired over the fort.
The night ends with The U.S. Army Band performing the National Anthem and a fireworks display.
Hosted by: Maj. Gen. Michael L. Howard, commanding general, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington.
REGISTRATION: Media interested in covering these events must register by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8. To be placed on the credentialed list, send an email to usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb(at)mail(dot)mil with the following information:
• Full Name (first, middle initial and last)
• Media Organization and Assignment (e.g. camera, still photographer)
• Contact Phone Number
• Email Address
• Vehicle information (tags, year, make and model)
EDITOR’S NOTES:
• The U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office will contact media outlets with their credential status no later than 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8.
• Media interested in covering the events live are permitted to bring mobile broadcasting equipment capable of live feeds. Please provide this information when registering.
Shaunteh Kelly, JFHQ-NCR/U.S. Army Military District of Washington, +1 202-497-2011, [email protected]
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