VETERANS

Page 10
A R I Z O N A V E T E R A N S M A G A Z I N E
SAVE THE 108th ARMY BAND
PATRIOTISM PASSES
FROM FATHER TO SON
Dear General McGuire,
I am a veteran with 40 years of combined service. I
retired as a Senior NCO after 30 years with the 108th
Army Band. I am very proud of my time of service in
the Band. The Band has always displayed the highest
level of military professionalism while performing its
mission of promoting morale among the troops, being
a source for recruiting, and assuring veterans and
their families that their service was recognized and
appreciated. This has been accomplished through its
performance at military ceremonies, public parades,
and community concerts as a representative of the
State of Arizona, the Arizona National Guard, and the
United States Army.
The Band has always been ready to support any
mission appointed to it. It has been there to ease the
pain of a unit going off to war or to elevate the joy of
one returning from a lengthy deployment. Whether
bringing pomp and circumstance to a Change of
Command ceremony or honoring the graduates of an
ROTC class, the Band has always been at the ready.
This letter is to voice my concern over the
restrictions of travel being imposed upon the Band.
The severe budget cuts of last year deprived many
communities of the patriotic and cultural opportunity
to embrace their local veterans and encourage civic
involvement among their youth, all while enjoying
great music. How heartwarming to see a wheelchairbound
veteran attempt to rise to attention when he
or she recognizes the theme song of their branch of
service or at the playing of our National Anthem! And
how wonderful as their community responds in
applause to honor their sacrifice and service. The
response was the same from Arizona's largest cities to
its rural communities from the Grand Canyon to
Nogales and from Lake Havasu to Springerville. And
the emotions of performing for our heroes at the VA
facilities in Tucson, Phoenix, and Prescott touched
both performers and audience deeply. This is the
power of music to lift the hearts and encourage the
patriotism of our loyal citizens.
Although I am now retired from the Band, its value
and impact and potential are never far from my mind.
I hope that you are already supporting the Band in
accomplishing its important mission of being "The
Band of the People of Arizona" and allowing the Band
to continue to support the US Army, the Arizona
National Guard, the State of Arizona, and its
wonderful people. Thank you for your consideration.
— Respectfully yours, David C. Kimmel, US Army, Ret.
US Marine Corps veteran Alfonso Santillan Jr. is decorating
his son Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Jeremy Santillan at the
Prescott High School Aerospace Science Leadership
Academy Awards Ceremony. The Military Order of the
Purple Heart Chapter 608 each year awards a cadet for
leadership, positive attitude and community service with
this distinction.
William Pounders pins rank on his
father 2nd Lt. David Pounders during
a recent Officer Candidate School
graduation where eight new
Lieutenants joined the officer ranks of
the Arizona Army National Guard.
— photo by Capt. Matt Murphy
PATRIOTISM PASSES
FROM FATHER TO SON
ENLISTED ASSOCIATION OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
1100 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from all over USA attended the
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States in August.
“During the conference, many of our Soldiers and Airmen took the
opportunity to acquire a copy of the ARIZONA VETERANS MAGAZINE. Thanks
to your media resource, our Soldiers and Airmen were provided a view
of what is occurring with our veterans associations and military units
within Arizona. Thank you for supporting our National Guard Soldiers
and Airmen.”
— Ben Acosta, President
Enlisted Association of the National Guard for Arizona
ARIZONA HOSTS 1100 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS FOR ANNUAL CONVENTION