Photo By Staff Sgt. Erik Estrada | Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael J. Smith, band officer for the U.S. Marine Corps...... read more read more
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KOROR, Peleliu - In honor and remembrance of the 70th Anniversary of the landing on Peleliu, the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band visited the Republic of Palau, Sept. 12 through 18.
The landing on Peleliu still remains as one of the bloodiest battles for the Marines who fought in the Pacific during World War II, also having been the battle where eight of the 14 Medals of Honor from WWII were earned.
“The biggest pages of Marine Corps history were written in the South Pacific during WWII, and the battle of Peleliu is one of those iconic battles taught to us at boot camp,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael J. Smith, band officer of the band. “Musically supporting the ceremony commemorating the day Marines landed on Peleliu was an honor, and even more humbling when we witnessed the only two surviving veterans make the trip, salute, and embrace each other.”
Smith speaks of William Darling, an 89-year-old private first class with the 1st Marine Division, and Kiyokazu Tsuchida, a 94-year-old soldier with the Japanese at the time of the landing, who have become friends since the battle.
Although going to play in the 70th Anniversary ceremony of the landing was the band’s primary mission, after looking through records of the band’s history, Smith noticed that a Marine Corps band hadn’t played on island in quite some time.
“Checking the records of both the MarForPac and III Marine Expeditionary Force Band’s, we could find no evidence that a Marine Corps band had been to Palau in the last 50 years,” said Smith. “For Palau and Peleliu to be such a big part of Marine Corps history, the presence of a Marine Corps band was long overdue.”
Aside from the ceremony, the MarForPac Band performed during a reception at the Ambassador’s house, worked with music students from the local community college and even putting on a show with them at the end of the night. On their last night, the band also performed an evening concert show at the local park.
“I appreciate how the local residents received us coming to their (home), and for supporting us on our performances,” said Sgt. Kristi De Lashmutt, a saxophonist with the band. “We’ve also showed them that we’re still supporting them too, by coming for the 70th Anniversary of the landing on Peleliu.”
Before leaving the island the band made a stop at an elementary school to teach kids about music instruments, types of music, and even played some for them.
“Going on this trip was a great opportunity to reconnect with our history and also inspire young ears to different generations of music,” said De Lashmutt.
The MarForPac Band managed to do a lot in their short time in Palau, supporting a total of five events in two days. The Marines felt it was important to make up for their long time away from Palau and Peleliu.
“We wanted to give them an experience they would remember and talk about for decades to come, I think we accomplished that,” Smith said. “But I also hope that we had an influence on the recruiting and I hope we see an increase from Peleliu and Palau wanting to become a U.S. Marine.”
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2014 23:35 |
| Story ID: | 143198 |
| Location: | KOROR, PW |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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