Armed Forces Celebration Week free community concert to be held at Bob Jones tonight
MADISON – The celebration of our military during Armed Forces Celebration Week continues tonight with a community musical performance at Bob Jones High School.
The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band, based out of Fort Benning, will perform at tonight’s concert, starting at 7 p.m.
The Concert is free, but you’re encouraged to pick up free tickets at one of these locations: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, MWR office on Redstone Arsenal, Madison City Hall, or the Hogan Family YMCA on Park Square Lane. People with tickets will have first choice of seating.
Continuing through Saturday, the week-long series of events highlights the strong individuals who have faithfully served and continue to serve this wonderful country, and the civilian workers who support them.
Last night, the The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band performed to a huge crowd at Big Spring Park for Concerts in the Park.
The 283rd Army Center Band’s history dates back to 1916 when the band was first organized in El Paso, Texas, as the 34th Infantry Band, of the 34th Infantry Regiment. During its time with the 34th Infantry Regiment the band earned campaign participation credit in World War I at Lorraine, France. The band served for many years at Fort Benning, Georgia, until it was inactivated in June of 1940 at Fort Benning.
In October of 1942 the band was reactivated at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and this time aligned with the 136th Infantry Regiment. The band was once again called on to support overseas efforts during wartime. It was stationed on various Hawaiian Islands and then at Luzon, Manila in the Philippine Islands, before being deactivated once again in December of 1946.
After several re-organizations and re-designations in the 1940’s the band was finally activated once again on Fort Benning, Georgia in 1955, as the 283rd Army Band. In 2009 during Ft. Benning’s transformation with Ft. Campbell, the band was officially designated as the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band.
Currently the MCoE Band, with its eight performing groups accomplishes over 500 military missions a year in support of the military and civilian communities in and around Fort Benning.
