U.S. Army Band Marches Into Philadelphia This Weekend
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A day after its July 4th concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, the U.S. Army Band returns to Philadelphia for a free concert -- featuring light classics, broadway, classic rock and lots of patriotic selections.
Its leader and commander is Colonel Thomas Palmatier.
"We've got a super medley of tunes by the Beatles," he explains, "a tribute to those who served during the Vietnam era, some big band swing music, and, of course, some real patriotic things."
Palmatier, who has put in 36-years of service, was the first Army Band Officer to earn both the Parachutist and Air Assault Badges.
"It's just part of being a soldier," he says. "Every member of America's army is proud of achieving excellence."
The U.S. Army Band dates to 1922, when Army Chief of Staff General John Pershing formed it in the mold of European military bands he had heard during the First World War.
The concert begins Saturday at 8 p.m. on the main stage at the Great Plaza on Penn's Landing, near Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street.
KYW Newsradio will broadcast the soundtrack to the fireworks show after the concert, scheduled to begin at 9:30 Saturday night.
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