McKeesport hosts Army band’s first show since pandemic began
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
A feeling of pride in being an American radiated from the McKeesport Lions Club Bandshell in Renziehausen Park Friday night as the city marked its annual Patriotism Day.
Every year during the McKeesport Summer Concert Series, which is sponsored by the city, the Lions and the Allegheny Regional Asset District, McKeesport holds a Patriotism Day celebration to thank active-duty troops and veterans of the U.S. military, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
This year’s event was particularly special as the U.S. Army Field Band took the bandshell stage before a Patriotism Day fireworks display.
Col. Jim R. Keene, the band’s commander, said the show at Renzie Park was the band’s first since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and that the Army soldiers performing under him were thrilled to be on the stage and in McKeesport.
The beautiful music that carried through Renzie Park Friday night was part of the U.S. Army Field Band’s “America the Beautiful,” a celebration of all there is to love about our nation.
The band described the show as “a musical journey inspired by the landmarks and welcoming people of our country.”
In a synopsis for the show, the band said “We honor the veterans of every generation who answered the call to defend this great land, and recognize the soldiers standing guard today in more than 140 countries around the world who are proud to call America ‘home.’”
Keene could feel an electricity in the air Friday night as a crowd of around 700 to 1,000 people clapped, sang along and waved flags that were handed out by McKeesport Lions. Many of the people in the crowd wore hats showing they are veterans, while others were adorned in red,white and blue.
“After a year and a half of being away from the American public, going to a place like McKeesport … we feel like not only are we back, but the country is back,” Keene said. “We’re always wondering ‘How do we deal with adversity’ and this is it.
“… We are in the middle of a pandemic, we’re always worried about that. … We’re heartbroken over the losses in Afghanistan.”
He said being in a patriotic town like McKeesport, which holds numerous veterans events throughout the year, and playing music that makes Americans feel pride for the red, white and blue is like a form of therapy.
“When we come to a place like this, we can deal with that. We can actually deal with those huge issues,” he said.
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