One week from tonight, 45 members of the Holland American Legion Band will be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Normandy, France!!!

The past few weeks have been packed full of rehearsals, fund raisers, and even several Memorial Weekend performances.  Thank you to everyone who has donated time and money towards this trip,  With your tremendous support we have now raised enough money for the band to make it to Normandy.  Getting home, however, is still questionable.  (There’s a conspiracy developing about leaving the drummers behind.)

We’re also very grateful to the media for picking up our story and sharing it with their respective audiences.

Here’s a few links to a number of recent stories:

Holland Michigan band to mark D-Day in Normandy, France -mlive.com

http://www.mlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2009/05/the_rows_upon_rows_upon.html

Holland American Legion to play in Europe -WoodTV.com

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/ottawa_county/Holl_American_Legion_to_play_in_Europe

Holland American Legion Band to honor Normandy veterans on European tour -Holland Sentinel

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/archive/x1194174468/Holland-American-Legion-Band-to-honor-Normandy-veterans-on-European-tour

65th D-Day Celebration -Halftime Magazine

http://halftimemag.com/articles/05-2009/05-2009-noteworthy/65th-d-day-celebration.html

In addition to these local and national articles, we are also getting picked up in the media in France and the Netherlands.  One reporter even traveled all the way from the Province of Zeeland for a sneak peak at the Holland American Legion Band:

http://liliangoesamerica.wordpress.com/

Okay, maybe Lilian happened to be in the United States researching the stories of people of Dutch decent, but I still believe Holland was the high point of her trip to the USA.  Much of her blog is translated into English, which is a good thing because I’ve heard most of the Dutch learned by people growing up in Holland, Michigan was learned in the barn and inappropriate for civil company.

“Passports, Instruments, Music, Uniform”

Tuesday night, May 12, 2009, Director Thom Working declared, reminded, and repeated again that we may forget to pack underwear, but NOT these four things!  Can a group of over 60 responsible adults remember just four items?  Or will we find out if FedEx really means “Over Night” shipping to Europe?

A trip itinerary was handed out so feel free to e-mail me at David at AudioMemories.org if you’d like a copy e-mailed to you.  I’ll try to post it to the website or blog before the busses roll from City On A Hill in Zeeland, Michigan at 9:30am, June 4, 2009.

26 days to go and we have two great events planned for your enjoyment (and to help raise some need funds!!!)

FIRST:

This coming THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. the Holland Legion Band is holding a public rehearsal, dinner, baked goods sale and silent auction fundraising event.   You are free to come and go as your schedule allows.

At 6:30 p.m., come and listen as the band rehearses an array of musical pieces for this upcoming tour.
At 5:15p.m. a home-cooked, three course dinner will be served to the first 200 persons who R.S.V.P.
before May 11th to 616-772-6208. ($15.00 suggested minimum donation per person for dinner.)
This fundraising event will be held in the Fellowship Center of the HOLLAND HEIGHTS CHURCH 836 East 8th Street, Holland, Michigan.

SECOND:

Ken Vos of Reliable Sports in Holland talks about the Poker Run planned for May 16, 2009 as a way to support the Holland Legion Band’s trip to the 65th Anniversary of the D-day invasion in Normandy, France.  The 40 mile bike, scooter, cycle, and minivan run will take participants through the beautiful West Michigan towns of Holland, Saugatuck, Hamilton, Zeeland, and many villages along the way.  With a very reasonable entry fee of $20, each participant will receive a free ice cream at Captain Sundae and a chance to win a $200 gift certificate from Reliable Sports along with many more prizes from area bike shops and businesses.  There will be prizes for the best and worst poker hand presented.

For more information visit Reliable Sports in Holland.

Click here to hear Ken Vos talk about the Holland Legion Band Poker Run!!