Photo By Staff Sgt. Esdras Ruano | U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joshua Stone, officer in charge, Parris Island...... read more read more
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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - As the Parris Island Marine Band concluded an evening concert in Bridgeport, Conn., on Oct. 6, more than 1,000 members of the audience gave a standing ovation and waved American flags in the air.
The concert was one of a number of shows the band gave during a five-day visit Oct. 5 - 11, continuing a quarter-century tradition.
The Bridgeport community has had a Marine Corps band perform at its Columbus Day celebration for the past 25 years. The first Marine band arrived in Bridgeport in 1987, and the Parris Island Marine Band continued the tradition this year.
"The Marine Corps band visits are part of the city's annual calendar of events," said Chris Caruso, a coordinator for the band's visit. "The people of Bridgeport look forward to and welcome the Marines with love, pride and heartfelt appreciation."
The Parris Island Marine Band performed two formal concerts in the Klein Memorial Auditorium, ending the performances with "God Bless America," accompanied by the audience singing along.
In attendance were community members, including Bridgeport mayor, William Finch, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and State Rep. Jack Hennessy.
The concerts also paid tribute to other audience members. Montford Point Marines were recognized Saturday evening with the song "I'll Take the Marines," based on lyrics written by Montford Point Marine LaSalle Vaughn in the 1940s.
On Sunday, more than 60 family members of Connecticut service members who were killed in the line of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan were present.
The ceremonial band marched down the streets of Bridgeport to celebrate the 104th Columbus Day Celebration and the brass quintet performed at the Lord Chamberlain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. To wrap up the tour, the concert band performed for more than 500 middle school and high school students and held band clinics after each performance.
Lance Cpl. Steven Farley, one of the newest members of the band, said one of the most memorable experiences for him was the positive response the band received from the crowd at their first concert, as well as the interaction with the high school students later the following week.
Bridgeport was his first major trip and formal concert with the band. Farley recalled a woman who approached him after the concert.
"She came up to me and told me she felt really proud," he said. "She actually felt like an American."
The city of Bridgeport plans to continue to have a Marine Corps band each year for Columbus Day.
"They have become part of the Bridgeport family, and each year we're eager to welcome them back home," Caruso said.
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.30.2012 16:03 |
| Story ID: | 97006 |
| Location: | BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Hometown: | BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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