Blue Devil Band Parades for
Memorial Day
The Huntington High School Blue Devil marching band paraded through Huntington village on Monday, performing patriotic tunes for Memorial Day as folks of all ages lined local streets to watch veterans and other service personnel in uniform pay tribute to those who have fought and died in battle.
"This is an important performance for the band," said Jason Giachetti, who directs the Blue Devils along with music department faculty colleague Brian Stellato. "The students are reminded that the purpose of us being out there is to remember the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have the freedoms that many people take for granted. We remind them of many of the freedoms that don't exist in other countries. Before we perform, we take a minute to reflect and remember those people."
The entire Huntington High School band program, both competitive and non-competitive contingents, suited up to for the parade band. The group assembled near Outback Restaurant on Holdsworth Drive before parading up New York Avenue. The band turned left on East Carver Street, right on New Street and right again on Main Street before marching to Stewart Avenue, opposite the Nathan Hale Memorial.
"As we marched past the cemetery, we stopped performing out of respect for those who have fallen before us," Mr. Giachetti said. "The drum majors marched past giving a salute."
The Huntington Rural Cemetery contains the graves of 176 Civil War veterans, as well as those from World War I and II. Admiral Hiram Paulding was buried there in 1878 in a plot marked off by cannon balls. Admiral Paulding's son-in-law, U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Robert Meade is also buried in the cemetery.
As the Blue Devil made their way through the parade route, the band performed a medley of
You're a Grand Old Flag and America the Beautiful. The crowd loved it. The marching band's sound is dominating and impressive in every way. The sharp looking uniforms add to the aura that surrounds the group.
The Blue Devil marching band practiced for the parade, although finding the time to do so was not an easy task considering the ongoing rehearsals for spring concerts, Advanced Placement review sessions and exams and an assorting of other obstacles.
The parade marked the final performance for this year's edition of the Blue Devil marching band. The senior band will perform during a concert this Wednesday in the Huntington High School auditorium at 8 p.m.