Thursday, October 17, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC -- The 2nd Marine Division Band, (the Division’s Own), of Camp Lejeune will perform a stirring patriotic tribute to the nation’s veterans at a free, public concert at 10 a.m., Nov. 11, in UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium. Sponsored by the university, the concert will include such favorites as “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “America the Beautiful” and “Espirit de Corps.”

Conducted by Staff Sergeant William R. Howe, the division band is the only musical unit based at Camp Lejeune and provides support for five major commands and more than 30,000 Marines. These musical ambassadors perform throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Officer in charge is Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael John Smith and bandmaster is Master Sergeant Mathew Boatright.

The event will include a welcome by Royce N. Angel, special assistant to the chancellor for community relations, and an invocation by Rev. Nancy Cooper of United Christian Campus Ministry.

Although the event is free; seating is limited. Admission will be by ticket only. For information, call Kenan Auditorium box office at 962-3500 or 1-800-732-3643. Tickets are limited to two per person. Attendees should park in the Trask Coliseum parking lot. Free shuttle service will be provided to the concert site.

For more information, contact Annette Coneglio Anderson in the UNCW Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies at (910) 962-3547 or e-mail andersonac@uncw.edu. A photo of the band is available to download from the Web at www.uncw.edu/news/headlines/2002/oct/20021017-03.html.