Performances + Events
The New England Conservatory has a long and rich tradition of men and women serving in all branches of the U.S. military and in all variety of jobs, not just bands. Countless NEC alumni have served or are serving today. On this Veterans Day, let us remember their many sacrifices and achievements. They bestow honor on NEC and themselves.
Today affords us the opportunity to remember the cost of serving: overseas deployments in harm’s way and stateside deployments that necessitate long stretches of time away from loved ones and friends.
Stateside musicians are the connection between the entire U.S. military and the civilian population (only around 4 percent of the U.S. population is serving). Overseas, the bands bridge the gap between our fighting forces and foreign peoples. All cultures identify with the arts; military bands are America’s peace professionals.
It has been my honor to serve in the United States Air Force (Reserves) for 34 years, all in the band career field. Those of us who have served in bands have played for presidents, senators, ambassadors, and other high-ranking officials. We have dedicated monuments to those who have served and monuments that marked civilian tragedies. We regularly play ceremonies for recently fallen airmen, soldiers, and Navy personnel and watch as those heroes’ families suffer the agony of putting loved ones to rest.
In concerts, we watch as older or disabled veterans struggle to stand while we play the service song that honors their service and sacrifice. To quote President Biden: “Our veterans are the steel spine of this nation.”
Military bands are an honorable and needed profession.
Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do.
SMSgt (ret.) Bill Drury
