Illinois Army National Guard 144th Army Band entertains the community in Latham Park in Lincoln

 

[September 11, 2024] 

On a beautiful and sunny Sunday, September 8, the Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Army Band performed at Latham Park in front of the bandstand that is currently being restored.

Veterans’ Assistance Commission Superintendent Dan Benedict thanked the Logan County Board who asked the band to present the concert. He then introduced the Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Army Band, which is currently based in the Chicago area. The band hopes to soon move its location to Peoria.

Benedict said the band’s mission is to provide musical entertainment for the morale of soldiers and support the local communities.

The band can trace its roots date back to 1861 when there was the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band. Benedict said that as of 1968, the band was formed as the 144th Army Band. The band is comprised of 33 members.

While the band performed, Benedict said the Lincoln Woman’s Club would be selling cake and ice cream.

Before the band played, Benedict told everyone veterans who wonder about their benefits from their time in service could visit the Veterans’ Assistance Commission office. The VAC office is located in the John A. Logan building at 122 N. Mclean Street in Lincoln. He said in the eight years since the VAC was set up, they have brought in millions of dollars in benefits for veterans.

The audience gave a round of applause for the band.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Keith Shasteen, the unit’s commander, directed the band. Shasteen said the144th band represents Illinois, its Governor and the Illinois National Guard. They share the story of the state and nation through their music. The performances are done on behalf of all soldiers.

Master of Ceremonies Specialist Rory Fritz welcomed everyone to the performance on behalf of the Adjutant General of the great state of Illinois Major General Rodney Boyd and 65th Brigade Commander Colonel Max Casteleyn. Fritz said she also welcomed everyone on behalf of all soldiers serving in the Illinois Army National Guard who are always ready [and] always there.

Everyone was asked to rise as the band started by playing and singing of the “National Anthem.”

Emcee Fritz said it is an honor for those in uniform to serve in the capacity of both citizen soldier and musician representing the great state of Illinois.

Next, Fritz shared the story of “High Flight,” which was written by American volunteer pilot John Gillespie Magee, Jr. Magee served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Fritz said at the age of 19 Magee was killed in action while flying.

Magee’s famous poem is now the official poem of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Air Force. Fritz said first year cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy are required to recite the poem from memory.

Fritz then recited the words to the poem “High Flight” accompanied by keyboard music The poem’s words are as follows:

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.”

The band next played a song written by James Curnow called “Where Never Larks or Eagles Flew,” which is based on the poem “High Flight.”

Before the band played the next song, Fritz told the audience the Illinois National Guard has a partnership program with Poland. The Illinois National Guard partners with Poland on a variety of security missions throughout Poland and Illinois. Poland is a valued member of both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] and the European Union.

In honor of the 31-year partnership between the Illinois National Guard and Poland, the band then performed “The March of the First Brigade.”

To introduce the next song, Fritz said today we stand on the shoulder of those who served before us. The song, written by Samuel Hazo, takes the listener through the many feelings of the families who have lost loved ones in war. She said these service members wrote a blank check to the United States for an amount up to and including their own life.

The piece, “Each Time you Tell their Story” is a charge to all of us to never forget the sacrifice of these brave heroes.

“Each Time you Tell their Story” is another song based on a poem. As the band played the song, Fritz read the words of the poem, which says, "No soldiers choose to die. It's what they risk being who and where they are. It's what they dare while saving someone else whose life means suddenly as much to them as theirs. Or more. To honor them, why speak of duty or the will of governments? Think first of love each time you tell their story. It gives their sacrifice a name and takes from war its glory."

Next up was a John William’s song titled “Hymn to the Fallen,” which was played in the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” Fritz said the hymn gives people hope and strength.

Fritz said the next piece the band was going to play takes people through parts of the song “My Country Tis of Thee.”

There was then a featured performance by the jazz combo “Close Quarters,” led by Corporal Andrew Norte. Sargeant Chris Bower, Sargeant Anderson and Sargeant Smith.

Close Quarters pieces included the Calypso song “St. Thomas,” Eddie Harris’ “Cold Duck Time,” George Gershwin’s “Summertime” and Kenny Garriot’s “Happy People.” Close Quarters finished their performance with a song called “The Chicken.”

Beside “Close Quarters,” Fritz said there are several other ensembles in the 144th Army Band. Other ensembles are the “Lincolnland Brass Band,“ “Lake Shore Drive Five,” Five Star Brass” and “Range Control.

Various styles the talented musicians play is rock, pop, jazz, traditional marches and concert band music among many others.

After the ensemble finished, the rest of the band came back together and played Carmen Dragon’s arrangement of “America the Beautiful.” Fritz said this arrangement is played at almost every Presidential Inauguration.

Fritz next asked U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Bill Gossett, who will soon be 101, to stand up and be recognized. She thanked Gossett for his service.

As the band played a medley of Armed Forces songs, Fritz asked other service veterans to stand up when their branch’s anthem was played.

Commander Shasteen then shared what the band does and where members are from. He said the 144th Army Band is made up of a “diverse and eclectic group of soldiers who live in Indiana, Iowa and Illinois.

The band members are students, teachers, industry workers, independent musicians and everything in between. Shasteen said their ages range from 19 to 51. They perform all over the state of Illinois.

Something else Shasteen talked about is the mission of the 144th band. He said music is powerful. It evokes emotions and reminds us of what is beautiful in life.

Through music, Shasteen said we can advance and accomplish our nation’s mission in peace time, conflict or even large scale combat operations.

Music is the bridge from which we can build networks and relationships. It can promote stability.

Through cultural awareness, Shasteen said music can also enhance our nation’s legitimacy and promote our national interests. Music can deliver strategic messaging, diplomatically promote peace and build trust and confidence in the United States. We can create shared understanding and shared values through music.

Shasteen then said, “we are public diplomacy at the highest levels.”

In addition, the band aims to enhance the quality of soldier’s lives, inspire members of the military and their families. The band fosters mental and emotional health and supports the wounded warrior. They honor the fallen, and through that, Shasteen said they provide closure and dignity for the fallen, their comrades and their families.

Military musicians are important to the mission of their leaders. Shasteen said they preserve tradition while they look into the future. They preserve the trust and confidence of America’s military and its readiness.

The job of the military musician is important and Shasteen feels honored to be a part of the band. Shasteen said they are looking for more people to join the band. He said it is a part time job with full time benefits. Shasteen encouraged everyone to promote music in their schools and in their community then thanked everyone for attending.

As the concert neared the end, Specialist Fritz sang “We are the National Guard.” accompanied by the band.

VIDEO – Illinois National Guard 144th Army Band plays Stars and Stripes Forever

The band closed with the song “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Once the Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Army Band finished their performance and packed up their equipment, the Woman’s Club hosted a dinner for the band members at their building across the street from the park. Tables were decorated with red table runners and flags. There was also a tree on the stage of the building decorated with miniature flags, blue stars, lights and white garland.

You can check out the 144th Army Band on instagram,

[Angela Reiners]