Veterans' Day Concert

Featuring the US Army Band and West Point Glee Club

DOIM/John Pellino- The Cadet Glee Club and United States Army Band during their Veterans' Day & West Point Bicentennial Tribute Concert in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (11 NOV 01)

"Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests including members of the Diplomatic Corps of Washington, DC, and visitors from over 20 countries, good afternoon and welcome to this tribute in honor of our veterans and celebration of West Point’s Bicentennial.

"This gala concert that was the idea of Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, would not have been possible if not for the hard work of many individuals. First off, Mr. Bill Raiford, who chaired the Bicentennial Steering Group for several years and invited Justice O’Connor onto his committee – thanks Bill for all your hard work. I would also like to personally thank MG James T. Jackson and all of his Military District of Washington staff who have helped execute this gala event in their backyard. Great job, Jim. Finally, I would like to recognize Mr. Jack Hammack, the Chairman of the United States Military Academy’s Association of Graduates. His tireless efforts in preparation for the Bicentennial over the past years positioned the Academy for a remarkable year, full of spectacular events such as this one tonight to celebrate 200 years of providing timeless leadership to our nation. Words cannot express the amount of gratitude the Long Gray Line owes Jack for all he has done.

DOIM/John Pellino- (November 11, 2001) Superintendent LTG William J. Lennox, Jr. speaks with the Cadet Glee Club at Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.

"The Bicentennial Year provides us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything that the United States Military Academy means to the nation. West Point for 200 Years has provided timeless leadership through individuals committed to the ideals of Duty, Honor, Country. These leaders of character have seen America through all of its ups and downs. Leaders like CPT William MacNeil or George Washington Whistler helped build the nation in the early 19th century or gallant men like Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, weathering the great Civil War. During the global conflicts of the 20th Century, individuals like John J. Pershing, Douglas MacArthur, and Dwight D. Eisenhower secured the world.

"The past generation of the Long Gray Line contributed astronauts like Frank Borman, Ed White, Jr., and Buzz Aldrin; and leaders like “Stormin’” Norman Schwarzkopf in the sands of Desert Storm and Wesley Clark in the mountains of Kosovo; individuals as diverse as Roscoe Robinson – the Army’s first African-American 4-star General to Allison Jones, Class of 2000, who was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for her courage following the terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in 1998.

"Many of our former students, now commissioned officers, are called upon to overcome obstacles they could not imagine when they graduated – but that is the purpose of the United States Military Academy. The United States Military Academy is the nation’s premier institution for leader development, and we’re proud that “much of the history we teach was made by the people we taught.” We lead in leadership.

DOIM/John Pellino

"Today we not only celebrate the Bicentennial of the Academy, but more importantly today is a tribute in honor of America’s veterans. Of course, Veteran’s Day honors those who have served in all services – soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen; those who served during war – storming the beaches in Normandy and the Pacific, repelling Communist aggressors in Korea, fighting in the jungles of Vietnam, toppling a rogue regime in Panama, or restoring national sovereignty to Kuwait; and those who served during peace – projecting the mighty force of deterrence throughout the Cold War, providing food and shelter to the needy Kurds in desolate northern Iraq, providing life saving provisions in war torn Mogadishu, restoring democracy to an oppressed Haiti, enforcing peace in the fragmented Balkans.

"With the September 11th terrorist attacks on our own land foremost in our memory, we honor those who died or were wounded in the Pentagon and the men and women worldwide who protect our freedom today. Because of the veteran’s of the past we are free. With today’s soldiers we will remain free.

"I can think of no better way to offer tribute to Veteran’s and to the Academy’s Bicentennial than with the great United States Army Band. Having served here in Washington DC for almost 6 years, I’ve had the pleasure on many occasions such as this to see “Pershing’s Own” in concert, and there is no better way to celebrate than with this outstanding group of musicians assembled here tonight.

"The US Army Concert Band, conducted by COL Gary F. Lamb, possesses a worldwide reputation for extraordinary talent. The US Army Herald Trumpets, directed by LTC Tony W. Cason, is known as “one of the most spectacular performing groups in America.” We will also hear the Cadet Glee Club led by Ms. Constance Chase. This gifted group of young cadets will soon extend the Long Gray Line into the next century of service to our nation.

"I know you all will enjoy the evening. Thank you and Go Army!"