Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Michigan National Guard Band Readies for Ford Funeral

By Sgt. Jeremy Pitcher, USA
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 2, 2007 – With the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford moving here tomorrow, members of the 126th
Army Band of the Michigan Army National Guard are honing their skills for the historic event. The 126th Army Band is tasked to provide the instrumental music for three ceremonies. For each ceremony, the Ford family has chosen what numbers they would like to have played, and when. The song lists for the events are composed of expected melodies, common at any presidential funeral, along with family favorites meant to remember and honor Ford.

First Sgt. James Zwarensteyn, a member of the 126th for his entire 37-year military career, has played at many events for the former president..

"We played for Ford's 90th birthday, the dedication and rededication of Ford's museum and library," he said. "This is bigger, though. We are all acutely aware of how important these ceremonies are going to be."

The 126th Army Band is made up of of 35 musicians, a director and Zwarensteyn, who serves as the drum major.

"Being a part us this ceremony is a real honor for all of us," he said. "For it to be on a worldwide stage, and for someone so important to this state, (it) is just a tremendous honor for us to be involved."

When not working with the National Guard, Zwarensteyn is a band teacher in his local school district.

(Sgt. Jeremy Pitcher is a member of the Michigan Army National Guard.)

Article sponsored by
criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.

Bears Bring New Year's Morale to Troops

By Staff Sgt. Patrick Moes, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 2, 2007 – Football fever took on a new dimension yesterday as Third Army and
U.S. Army Central Command troops watched the last game of the NFL regular season, and members of Chicago Bears' 1985 Super Bowl Championship team signed autographs here. Stars for Stripes sponsored the three-day "Ringin' in the New Year" tour with former Bears players Jim McMahon, Kevin Butler, actress Karri Turner and news personality Dave Price.

"It's a big morale booster," said Capt. Anthony Manning, commander of the 863rd Engineer Detachment, and a Chicago native. "The troops are happy. They will talk about this for the next week."

The servicemembers exuded excitement as they waited in line with pictures, footballs, Bears baseball hats and Bears banners.

But then again, the 863rd soldiers are not your average sports fans. They watch every game they can - even the games on at 4 a.m "When you come in the barracks [on a Sunday night] you can hear the soldiers hollering during the Bears' games," said Manning.

Those on the tour also felt the soldiers' exuberance. Visiting 12 camps in three days, the tour wwas a chance for the athletes and other celebrities to meet and see the men and women of the U.S.
armed forces.

"These people are serving our country," said Price, weather anchor for CBS News' The Early Show. "We owe our debt of gratitude."

Price added that "if anyone has any doubt about the current state our country is in, they need to spend a week with the men and women [in the Middle East]. Our country is in great hands."

Article sponsored by
criminal justice leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.