70th Anniversary Mass Band Performance
On December 7, 2011 there were 16 members of the Downriver Community Band (DCB) participating in this mass band performance on the pier of the USS Missouri. 32 people, including family and friends, traveled to Hawaii to participate in the 70th anniversary of the tragedy of that day in 1941. More than 650 musicians from twelve bands united to perform patriotic tunes under the baton of Mike Davis, retired director of bands at Disneyworld, and the direction of Pearl Harbor survivor Allen Bodenlos.
The event for the DCB had been two years in the making. We had fundraising events, raffles, a luau dinner, and a mock Arizona Memorial to collect donations at concerts, to help cover the cost of trip.
Al Bodenlos, a survivor and Vice-President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association initiated the idea of wanting to create a mass band. He was honored in a ceremony as part of many events scheduled for this commemoration. He presented this card to each band as an appreciation and personal touch. His speech that day covered a play-by-play of his experiences that happened on the day of the bombing.
Two representatives from each of the twelve groups that participated were brought to the front of the pier to fold a flag during the Mass Band performance while the announcer explained what each fold in the flag represents. This flag was given to us to keep.
At a Luau dinner celebration in Honolulu, each group was also given a plaque in appreciation for their participation. It was presented to each director/tour representative.
A patch and group photo was given to each person that travelled to Hawaii for the event.
Local TV, radio and newspapers highlighted our trip. Channel 7 news (WXYZ, interviewed Mary Simmons and was broadcasted at 5:42 am and 6:50am that day. WDET public radio also interviewed, by our own percussionist Pat Batchelor, Mary and aired that during the day. The New Herald Newspapers printed an article Remembering the past: Downriver Community Band performs at Pearl Harbor ceremony in the entertainment section of that day’s paper.
To see a live webcast of the Mass Band performance, please go to this link: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18995074
All 32 that traveled to Hawaii wish to thank the Downriver community for their overwhelming support of our endeavor. This was truly a chance of a lifetime and we appreciate your giving us the opportunity to represent Michigan and be able to experience this memory to treasure.
Amy Clark, Daniel Cornell, Pauline Francis, Christine & Steve Fusco, Sarah Hall, Dan & Jovita Harnum, Tim & Cindy Hewlett, Margie & Marty Holdren, Sadie Hopkins, Patti Imielowski, Monica & Roman Imielowski, Chadd Johnson, Doris Karr, Patti Pluta, Dan & Kathy Poreda, Kevin Schlacht, Ethel Siebolt, Dan & Mary Simmons, Jim Skura, Mary & Nic Tarr, Kayla Weidenhamer, John & Linda Winslow, Lee Yoas. (bolded names were performers in the mass band)
