Musical notes high and low fill the practice room as the West Michigan Holland American Legion Band prepares for a series of European concerts commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day in June.

"This is a very meaningful trip for us," says band director Thom Working. "D-Day on Utah and Omaha beaches is a day not forgotten, especially by the people of France who still live in that region and annually celebrate the American liberation. It is an immense honor to be invited to take part."

The French cities of Carentan, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Arromanches and St. Lo requested the band play at local celebrations and commemorations. An additional performance is scheduled at the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach.

The West Michigan Holland American Legion Band was organized in 1920 by members of Willard G. Leenhouts American Legion Post 6 in Holland, Mich. Leenhouts was the city's first casualty of World War I. Following the band's Normandy performances, members will travel to Leenhouts' burial site in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at the foot of Belleau Wood. While there, the band will participate in a graveside ceremony led by Post 6 chaplain Scott Pierce.

Many West Michigan band members have relatives who served in World War II. Cindy Fant, a member of the color guard at Frankfort, Mich., Post 221, lost an uncle at Normandy. Sherrad Billings II was a tail gunner in a B-26 Marauder bomber. He was shot down over Magneville, Normandy, on June 10, 1944. The entire crew was killed.

"Uncle Sherrad is buried in the American Cemetery in Normandy," Fant says. "My sister and I want to place a wreath on his grave. My mom always talked about her brother, but we never knew him because he was killed before we were born. It will be a great honor to be a part of the 65th anniversary, and to pay homage to our uncle and all the other soldiers."

Fifty of the band's 85 members plan to make the journey across the pond, Working says. He credits Post 6 Commander Daniel Davis and other members for helping the band to raise money for the Normandy trip.

"We have received tremendous support over the years from Post 6, the city of Holland, its surrounding townships and the many veterans organizations in the area," Working says. "However, the Normandy trip is very expensive. We are in the midst of an aggressive fundraising campaign, but it looks as if band members are going to have to make up the difference."

Working says the trip will cost as much as $250,000 ($4,600 per band member and support staff). The goal is to raise $125,000, to reduce the out-of-pocket expense to $2,300 per participant.

"If we are going to participate, now is the time," says Working, noting the dwindling number of World War II veterans who make the trip as they reach their late 80s and 90s. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send our band to join the few remaining D-Day veterans in honoring the sacrifice that so many Americans made June 6, 1944."

For people interested in traveling with the band for this historic event, a tag-along group has been organized through a local travel agency. Contact Dolphin Vacations at (616) 772-9660.

Re-printed from The American Legion Online Update.  To subscribe to the Online Update, click here.