[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 83 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      THANKS AND FAREWELL TO THE AIR FORCE BAND OF THE GOLDEN WEST

                                 ______


                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 1994

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to express my admiration and 
thanks for the men and women of the Air Force Band of the Golden West. 
For over 50 years, this band has fulfilled a musical mission. 
Originally called the Air Force Band, the unit was established October 
1, 1941, at Scott Field, IL. During the early years of World War II, 
the band performed for parades, bond drives, concerts, and dances.
  Redesignated the 523d Army Air Force Band, these musicians headed for 
Europe in late 1944, reaching their final wartime destination of 
Warton, England, in January 1945. While there, the band played for U.S. 
and allied troops at USO shows and service installations, as well as 
for the war torn British populace. In an era when military bands were 
only occasionally noted for their excellence, the 523d was praised for 
its competence and versatility in handling dances, concerts, and 
especially marches.
  The band returned stateside to Camp Patrick Henry, VA, where it was 
inactivated on December 13, 1945. On September 26, 1947, just 8 days 
after the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch of the 
military, the inactive band was redesignated the 523d Air Force Band.
  On December 1, 1952, the 523d was reactivated and placed under the 
Strategic Air Command at March Air Force Base, CA, where it has 
remained ever since. In 1991, it was officially designated as the 15th 
Air Force Band of the Golden West.
  The band has received four Outstanding Unit Awards during its tenure 
with 15th Air Force, the latest for the period from July 1, 1989 to 
June 30, 1991, when the band was repeatedly called upon to perform for 
Presidents Reagan and Bush. During this same time period, the band made 
more than 650 appearances before a total audience of over 1.6 million 
people in the Southwestern United States, and twice fielded groups to 
entertain in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm.
  Over the years, the Air Force Band of the Golden West has released 
several recordings, including Sierra Winter, the first album conceived, 
composed, performed, and produced entirely by an Air Force band, and 
Center Stage, which features the unit's jazz ensemble with special 
guest trumpeter Arturo Sendoval.
  On June 29, 1994, the Air Force Band of the Golden West will 
officially be inactivated with a traditional military ceremony at March 
Air Force Base.
  As one who has heard this fine band on numerous occasions, and who is 
proud of its traditions and the quality of its performances, I want to 
congratulate the men and women who made the Air Force Band of the 
Golden West an organization of which all Americans could be proud. I am 
also pleased that the name will live on as the band at Travis Air Force 
Base, CA, will be redesignated the Air Force Band of the Golden West.

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