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287th Army Band hosts
Holiday Concert
By
Maj. Len Gratteri
Public Affairs Officer,
Delaware National Guard
On Tuesday,
December 6th, the Delaware Army National Guard’s 287th Army Band
held its 7th Annual Holiday Concert. Nearly 1,000 Guard troops,
families, friends and other concert goers were treated to
traditional holiday music at one of the premier venues in our state,
Wilmington ’s Grand Opera House.
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| A tradition of the concert is
Christmas carols sung by a chorus of colonels. The tradition
has evolved to also include our top noncommissioned officers
from both the Army and Air Guard.
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| This is the 7th
year the 287th has hosted a Holiday Concert. Thanks to
donations from The Grand Opera House and Happy Harry’s, Inc.,
the event continues to be held at the Grand Opera House in
Wilmington. |
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The Base Honor Guard from our Delaware Air
National Guard presents the colors as the National Anthem is
played. |
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| Sgt. Samuel Bates
stands for a final ovation. |
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| During the concert,
Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Adjutant General (left), presents
287th Army Band Commander, Chief Warrant Officer Four, Ed
Hockersmith with the G.K. Hastings Award for Training
Excellence. It’s the second year in a row the 287th has
received the award. |
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Sgt. Charles Fricker plays an instrument
commonly referred to as a Steel Drum. Technically it is a
“pan.” This pan was a gift to the Delaware National Guard from
our State Partners, the Republic of Trinidad &
Tobago. |
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Showing his Christmas spirit, concert emcee
Ken Boulden serves not only as New Castle County’s Clerk of
the Peace, but also as a part-time
elf. | |
