77th Army Band set to perform At Guymon�??s World War II Victory Day
KSCB News - August 10, 2011 10:31 am
The 77th Army Band will be part of the celebration honoring the greatest generation on Aug. 13 on World War II, World War II Victory Day in Guymon.
More than 40 members make up the 77th Army Band that will be making the trip to Guymon for two appearances: the Lions Club World War II Victory Day Parade at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Guymon and a 2 p.m. concert at Guymon High School.
The concert is free to the public with first come first seated. Reserved seating will be for the WWII veterans, their families and guests. Doors to the concert will open at 1:30 p.m. for the public.
“We are elated to get the support of the 77th Army Band, the Pride of Fort Sill, Okla.,” said Roy A. Ehly, event chairman and World II veteran, “and are looking forward to the band’s performances. The band has a long, rich history including receiving Campaign Participation Credit during WWII – Central Pacific, Western Pacific.”
The 77th Army Band was formed in 1907 in the Regular Army as the 13th Band, Coast Artillery and activated at Fort Du Pont, Del. It was re-designated as the 77th Army Band in 1947. In 1955 the band was activated at Fort Sill, Okla., where it has remained.
In addition to the parade and concert, activities include a flag raising ceremony, a luncheon, World War II artifacts and a WWII reenactment group. On Sunday, Guymon churches will be recognizing World War II veterans during their individual services.
The end of World War II is not a national holiday and Ehly believes it should be and hopes the Guymon event is a start toward that end.
Some confusion exists over the official day with Sept. 2 designated the national holiday in the United States of America when the surrender documents were officially signed, and because of time zone differences Aug. 14 and 15 are the days in 1945 when the first surrender announcements were made.
Last year the United States House of Representatives with the Senate concurring passed a resolution in support of the second Sunday of each August as a recognized day, but not a national holiday, to honor the efforts of millions of veterans in bringing the war to an end.
The Guymon event is for any World War II veteran from Texas County and the surrounding area or with ties to the area. For more information or to have a veteran added to the list call the Guymon Chamber of Commerce. The phone number is 580-338-3376.
Activities are free to World War II veterans and spouses thanks to the support of many volunteers and organizations including American Legion, Panhandle Lions Club, Guymon Lions Club, VFW, Oklahoma Historical Society, City of Guymon, Guymon School Board of Education, Guymon Convention and Visitors Bureau, Seaboard Foods, Guymon Chamber of Commerce, Epic PCS and Epic Touch.
