Comprised of both Ferris students and community members, the WCCB has been playing for 19 years; it plans on this year’s concert being another well deserved tribute to military personnel. The band has been practicing from the beginning of the school year and plans on incorporating new things into the concert this year.
The FSU Veterans Association, a student organization comprised of Ferris Veterans, was one of the most active student groups on campus for many years. For a while, it stopped functioning, but was recently restarted and will now be participating in the Veterans day concert. WCCB Director Dr. Cohen mentioned this is the first time the concert has involved the group.
“We are delighted to have the FSU Veterans Association participating at our Veterans Day Concert. They will be running the ‘Honored Guest Ceremony,’ which celebrates and commemorates our MIA and POWs. They will also be assisted by professional bagpiper Dave O’Neil from Grand Rapids,” said Cohen.
In addition to the long standing FSU Veterans Association, a new group called the FSU Military Support Group will also be taking part in the concert. FSU Military Support Group Vice President Linzy Flier-Zylstra hopes to collect donated goods and money for troops overseas, such as toiletries, individually wrapped snack foods, and cash donations.
“One of the goals of our organization is to support Ferris State University students who know, or are close to, someone who is part of the United States military. We also aim to support the troops who are serving our nation today through letters and care packages,” said Flier-Zylstra.
The band itself is on board with the importance of honoring and supporting those serving our country, and band members like Ian Nagy realize the concert is not just a performance, but a commemoration.
“The Veterans Day concert is a simple way of saying thank you to those who served. By collaborating with the FSU Military Support Group we are showing that Ferris is a community, and that we as a whole understand why Veterans Day is so important. Not only are we playing some great pieces of music, but this concert represents so much more than just the performing arts. It recognizes the men and women who have served our country so that we can be where we are today,” said Nagy.
Like Nagy, WCCB trumpet player Jacob Sonier feels that all Ferris students should attend in support of the veterans and that the band takes the concert’s honorable intentions to heart.
“The concert is a show of respect and gratitude toward veterans and active troops. Many of the songs we play have stories behind them honoring members of the military. Attending the WCCB’s Veterans Day Concert is a great way to show support for the veterans in our community,” said Sonier.
WCCB percussionist Jared Beyer said, “Music is a fun but powerful way to commemorate anything.”
Some of the songs to be performed include “Amazing Grace,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “This is my Country,” and many more.
“The musical selections are woven together to commemorate various war periods in history, so there is some interesting information that binds everything together,” said Cohen.
In addition to the music, HBO actor, award winning writer, director, and photographer Benjamin Busch will be the keynote speaker. Busch was also a former Marine Major and led two tours in Iraq. Former FSU student veteran John R. King will also be performing as a guest vocalist.
The concert promises to be a much-deserved commemoration for those who sacrifice daily for the United States, and even those who don’t support the war are encouraged to attend to appreciate the noble commitment of those in the armed forces.
“This concert is neither a pro-war or an anti-war event. It is simply, and suitably, a pro-veteran event — making the effort to reach out to the women and men who have given of themselves and oftentimes put their lives on the line for all of us back home. It is our opportunity to celebrate and thank them for doing this,” said Cohen.
For more information on the concert and FSU Military Support Group, contact Cohen at richardscottcohen@nullferris.edu and Flier-Zylstra at linzy09@nullgmail.com n