Schulenburg HS Band To March In National Memorial Day Parade

Pictured above are the Post officers and Band Booster officers: (seated, from left) Harry Bartosch, Assistant Sgt. at Arms; Jack Niesner, 2nd Vice Commander; Harvey Oeding, Eugene Krupala and Henry Miksch, Executive Committee members; (middle-holding check) Bob Heinrich, Post 143 Commander; Wendy Herzik, President Band Boosters; Maria Cammacho, Vice President Band Boosters; (back) Ed Semler, 1st Vice Commander; Dennis Olsovsky, Chaplain; Vernon Dittrich, Service Officer; C.W. Leonard, Executive Committee Chairman; Rick Todd, Executive Committee; Justin Bartlett, SHS Band Head Director; Ben Varva Jr., Band Boosters Treasurer; Kenneth J. Berger, Judge Advocate; Robert Hranicky, Sgt. at Arms; Dennis Muhlstein, Adjutant; and Johnny Barton, Historian. Not pictured is Willy Schmidt, Post Finance Officer.

This Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, will be a very special day for the Schulenburg High School Band because the band will be performing in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. on that date.

It is quite an honor for this small town band to be invited to this prestigious and inspiring event. The band will be one of only 50 High School bands invited nationally to participate in the Parade. In addition to marching in the parade, students will tour Arlington National Cemetery, The National 911 Pentagon Memorial, War memorials, and other historical sites. They will also participate in the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Kennedy gravesites, along with viewing the Changing of the Guard and wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Part of the mission of the Legion is to assist in youth causes and programs, such as education and scholarships. The Schulenburg American Legion Post feels that this is a very worthy cause and is proud to support this event. To veterans of all eras, Memorial Day, along with 4th of July, and Veterans Day, are the three most important annual veteran events. The Schulenburg American Legion Mc-Bride Post 143 has offered to assist the Band in raising funds for the trip. Donations received up to this point have been $4,811. Having the Schulenburg High School Band participate in this event honors Schulenburg and our American military heroes.

The goal of the band is to raise enough money to pay for all expenses involved with the trip, and we are asking for the public’s support to assist in this cause. Raising funds is ongoing, and the next fund raiser for the trip will be at the Sausagefest in Schulenburg on April 1. Please help support this most worthy cause. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Band Booster President, Wendy Herzik at (757) 822-4811.

The check was presented at the Legion meeting on March 7. The post also celebrated the 104th anniversary of the founding of the National American Legion on that day. The Legion Auxiliary prepared a delicious meal for the 42 Legion and 10 Auxiliary members attending.