A Musical Tribute For

Armed Forces Day

By Shannon Hicks

Originally, each branch of the armed forces set aside a date to honor the founding of its particular service. In 1949, however, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day, to be celebrated the third Saturday in May and to replace the individual observances.

The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department –– the Department of Defense. The national holiday was established to combine the previous independent holidays of each of the branches of the Armed Forces. Its purpose is to honor Americans serving in the five services.

On this holiday, there are parades and other festive activities sponsored by the military, many military bases are open to the public for tours, and sometimes there are public demonstrations such as parachute jumps, aircraft fly-bys, and other events.

This year’s theme is “A Force For Freedom,” and will be celebrated in part in Newtown with an Armed Forces Day Tribute at Edmond Town Hall. The Church Hill Boys, The ShoreGrass Bluegrass Band and The Heartstone Gospel Singers will share headlining duties in a musical celebration of the Armed Forces and the freedom of music.

The celebration is planned for Saturday, May 17, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm, in the gymnasium of Edmond Town Hall. The musicians will be performing for those who want to listen as well as those who want to show up and dance. Soft-soled shoes are required, and all ages are welcome. Organizers promise an evening of bluegrass, country, folk, western, and swing music.

Last year’s inaugural event was very well attended, according to event organizer Marty Maciag. Almost $600 in door prizes was handed out during the course of the night and dozens of attendees showed up.

The Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club will once again handle refreshments duties, offering soft drinks and snacks for nominal costs.

The evening will open, like last year, with the singing of the national anthem. Patriotic songs will follow, and then the evening’s headliners will share the floor.

Roger Sprung, a local legend and past world champion banjo player, will head up The Church Hill Boys. The band has been working on a self-titled CD, which includes a number of selections performed by Mr Sprung and friends during the monthly coffee house events at Newtown United Methodist Church. Among the selections are songs from the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack O Brother, Where Art Thou?

“I think we have a unique sound,” said Marty Maciag, a member of The Church Hill Boys. “We have a good blend of music. It’s definitely not boring.” The band’s CD currently lists 12 selections, but Mr Maciag expects to add a few more songs before it’s finished. The CD is being produced by Connecticut Country Companions.

ShoreGrass is a bluegrass band from the Connecticut shoreline, comprised of Barbara and Frank Shaw on guitar and banjo, Paul Pozzi on mandolin, Larry Rothermel on fiddle, and Louis Audette bass. The group performed in Newtown last year for the 2002 Armed Forces Day Tribute and also at NOMAD, among other engagements. The band performs “a lively mix of traditional American bluegrass and folk songs as well as original pieces,” according to its website.

Heartstone Gospel is a trio, says Mr Maciag, for anyone who likes “to hear gospel songs really belted out.”

Suggested donation for the evening is $5 in advance, $7 at the door. The tribute is open to all ages. Entry to the town hall’s gymnasium is through the lower rear parking lot, where plenty of free parking is also available. Edmond Town Hall is at 45 Main Street/Route 25.

For additional information contact Mr Maciag at 267-5445.