WVU Parkersburg to host Veteran's Day events

November 1, 2008

WVU Parkersburg, MOV American Red Cross to honor Mid-Ohio Valley's armed services veterans on Veterans Day; free military band concert to be featured.

CONTACT: Debbie Richards, special assistant to the president for policy and social justice, 304-424-8201.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg will honor the Mid-Ohio Valley's veterans Tuesday, Nov. 11, with several events, including a concert by the 249th Army Band of the West Virginia Army National Guard.

All programs are free and open to the public.

A Veterans Day address will be presented at 2 p.m. featuring Brigadier General James A. Hoyer of the WV National Guard in Room 1305. Veterans are encouraged to wear their military uniforms and all others are asked to wear red, white and blue. Veterans in attendance will be recognized.

In conjunction, there will be various National Guard displays, including joint incident communications capability and the weapons of mass destruction civil support team. The displays will be in the campus' east parking lot.

A reception in honor of veterans will be held at 5:45 p.m. in the College Activities Center. It is hosted by the Mid-Ohio Valley chapter of the American Red Cross and is free and open to the public.

At 7 p.m., the 249th Army Band of the WV Army National Guard will perform a free concert in the College Activities Center. No tickets are required.

The 249th Army Band of the WV National Guard is the only military band serving the state of West Virginia. It performs throughout the region in support of military ceremonies, community programs, parades and state government functions. The band is made up of members from throughout the state. These members make up a Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, several small ensembles including Brass Choir, Jazz Quartet and Percussion Ensemble. The unit is under the command of Chief Warrant Officer Four Thomas Goff. The unit Senior Enlisted Bandleader is First Sergeant Charles Tetkoski.

The ensemble has performed for the Department of the Navy in Philadelphia, and Kings Bay Georgia, as well as for the Department of the Army within the tri-state area of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The 249th has performed in the presence of state governors, congressmen, and the President of the United States. It has also served the governor as the Inaugural Band, Ceremonial Band, and Marching Band. The band's history dates back to the turn of the century when it consisted of two bands, the 201st Infantry Band in Morgantown, WV and the 150th Infantry Band in Bluefield, WV.

The Veterans Day activities are part of the college's Diversity Week events, Nov. 10-14.

cd11/1/08

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)

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