Celebrate America

We Celebrate America!

Sure to be a night to remember,

Celebrate America, a one-hour patriotic concert, will delight all

on Saturday, June 18th at 6:00PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) chapel located at 2768 Altadena Rd, Vestavia AL, 35243

With the move of the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band to Redstone Arsenal, musicians were relocated from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland to Huntsville. Traveling the world over, the band serves the soldiers and civilians of the U.S. Army Materiel Command family stationed at more than 140 locations worldwide. Directed by CW4 Jesse O.Pascua, this military band continues to fulfill its mission to provide entertainment and patriotic song for the enjoyment of all by providing pomp and circumstance for ceremonies as well as concerts for communities.

The band is partnering with a one-hundred voice choir comprising of vocalists from different LDS congregations in the greater Birmingham area. They come together to provide another great performance, this time singing patriotic songs arranged by the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir director Mack Wilberg along with others written by revered musicians such as Irving Berlin and John Williams. The choir is directed by

Sarah Draughon of Madison who has 36 years’ experience conducting choirs in North Carolina and Alabama. She states, “The choir is honored to join with the talented musicians of the AMC Band to celebrate our country through music. We are absolutely thrilled to have this wonderful opportunity.”

Keith Draughon, Stake President (similar to a Diocese)

for the Madison Alabama Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Sarah’s husband, had the vision to provide this gift to the community. He states, “We are grateful for the liberties and religious freedom granted to us by our constitution. These concerts will remind us of the sacrifices made to build and preserve this nation and how it has prospered under the hand of God. The music of the band and choir will be inspiring.”

SFC (Ret) Jeremy Howe, a retired tuba player with the AMC Band, sings in the choir and is

excited to see these two musical groups blend their notes in harmony by paying tribute to our

great nation and celebrating the many freedoms we are afforded.

The script for the concert was written by MSG (Ret) John Pierce, a Department of the Army

civilian serving as the Supervisory Editor of PS, The Preventive Maintenance Monthly, an Army technical publication about maintenance and supply issues related to Army vehicles, weapons, aircraft, and equipment. He retired from the United States Army twenty-one years ago as the Chief, Army Newspapers.

Retired and currently serving service members will be honored throughout the night and civic

leaders have been invited to attend a reception to honor the service they render on a daily basis.

Like the annual Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Lawn in Washington, DC, this concert is

sure to delight all who are in attendance. Hearts will be warmed to the remembrance of our

divinely appointed forefathers who secured the sacred freedoms this great nation is founded upon

and in gratitude for those who have fought, to defend freedoms and liberties.

This event is free to the public.