For the 74^th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, my high school band: The Ola High School Marching Mustangs, was able to stand on the pier of the Missouri and play music that celebrated my country. A few patriotic tunes and the star spangled banner. Looking up, I saw a small crowd of people looking down on us from the ship, listening. Yes, I got to go on a vacation to Hawaii, but I was also able to perform music on a monument to the struggle and sacrifice of our country. The honor was incredibly humbling. It was my senior year and playing with my fellow band members in such a historic place was something I knew I would treasure forever. Later that week we got to march in the Waikiki Holiday Parade for Thanksgiving. People cheered and congratulated and thanked us for coming. Marching band isn't as popular in Hawaii as it is on 'the mainland'. Two incredible experiences in one trip to paradise made enough memories to last a lifetime, but little did I know I would be returning very soon.

For the 75^th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I went back to Hawaii with The Marching Southerners from Jacksonville State University. We performed the national anthem and the music from our 2016 show: Heroes, Lost and Fallen. For many, it is the last time they will play and sing I’ll Fly Away with their fellow band members. Tears are shed over this amazing experience, because for some, performing on the U.S.S Missouri is a once in a lifetime experience. But for me, I’m blessed enough to say I’ve done it twice. I have been able to solute my country through music for two incredible anniversaries. My bands didn’t sign up to perform on these days either. We were invited!

I have been in incredible bands and done incredible things with them. Don’t ever tell me band isn’t important or that the arts as a whole aren’t important. The arts take kids to see and do things they may have never been able to experience in their lives. If you ever get the chance to travel somewhere with a group to perform, go. Take the chance. You'll learn so much more than you could ever imagine.