The band carried out within the Queensland cities of Townsville, Cardwell, Brisbane, and Surfers Paradise. Every metropolis was host to performances from the seventh Fleet Band’s Ceremonial Band, in addition to public concert events from the Pacific Ambassadors.
“To be right here for the eightieth commemoration of the Battle of the Coral Sea could be very important,” mentioned Chief Musician Anthony Smouse, main chief petty officer for the seventh Fleet Band. “To have the ability to expertise the group and comradery with our Australian counterparts has been very gratifying to us throughout this journey.”
The commemoration providers featured veterans, active-duty senior management, and public officers from each the U.S. and Australia, all acknowledging the significance of the Battle of the Coral Sea and the U.S.-Australian alliance.
“We commemorate these occasions as a result of, typically instances, when studying about them and studying about them second-hand, we lose perspective for the true impression that they had on folks,” mentioned Lt. Matthew H. Anderson, seventh Fleet bandmaster. “Lots of those that fought heroically, or who performed an element, are now not with us. It’s necessary to maintain their tales alive and honor them. As they are saying right here in Australia, ‘Lest We Neglect.’”
Through the commemoration ceremonies, the Ceremonial Band was in a position to carry out alongside their counterparts from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band Queensland, in addition to one live performance with the Surfers Paradise Brass Band.
“There’s a particular bond and kinship between those that serve in navy bands that extends all all over the world,” mentioned Anderson. “We have now carried out alongside the RAN Band many instances over time, and in reality, the bandmaster for the RAN Band Queensland, Mike Vaughn, and I performed alongside each other 15 years in the past for these identical commemorations. That bond, and these relationships, final a lifetime – and I imagine characterize the U.S.-Australia partnership effectively past musical endeavors.”
“It’s nice to have the seventh Fleet Band right here with us,” mentioned Chief Petty Officer Mike Vaughan, bandmaster for the RAN Band Queensland. “I met with a few of them again in 2007, so it’s good to have them again. The U.S.-Australian partnership is as robust because it’s ever been, and it exhibits by means of our engagements as we speak.”
In between the ceremonies and public live performance occasions, the members of the seventh Fleet Band have been in a position to get pleasure from some liberty and discover Queensland.
“Australia is such a lovely nation with a lot to supply for guests,” mentioned Musician third Class Kevin Clancy, a trombonist within the seventh Fleet Band. “From climbing trails to snorkeling close to reefs, it was positively an amazing expertise. I can’t wait to return again.”
The U.S. seventh Fleet Band is one in all 11 U.S. Navy Fleet Bands, and supplies musical help for ships, navy bases, international dignitaries, and lots of group relations occasions all through the Western Pacific.
The U.S. seventh Fleet Band was created in 1948, shortly after the U.S. seventh Fleet’s institution in 1943. The Band has carried out for thousands and thousands of individuals all through the Indo-Pacific area. The band is ahead deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and embarks aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), flagship for the U.S. seventh Fleet, throughout patrols and deployments. The band additionally conducts theater safety cooperation engagements on behalf of the U.S. Navy with companions and allies throughout the area.
Beneath Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
