More than
250 Delaware National Guard soldiers and airmen are scattered around
the world this holiday season.
But the families of those men and women remain at home. That's
why this year's holiday concert by the 287th Army Band of the
Delaware National Guard is dedicated to them.
"Everyone supports our troops who are deployed, but we need to
remember our families here at home who will be separated from loved
ones," said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, adjutant general and military
commander of the Delaware Guard. "Hopefully, this concert will help
brighten their holidays."
Family members of deployed troops will be the Guard's special
guests Tuesday when the band performs at The Grand Opera House in
Wilmington. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Nicole Stowell, whose husband Jeff is a lieutenant in the 153rd
Military Police Co. from Delaware City, said the concert will lift
the spirits of families whose loved ones are overseas.
The 153rd is at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.
"This is the first time that Jeff hasn't been home for the
holidays," Stowell said.
"It's important for me to be with people who understand the
degree to which myself and our two children miss Jeff and what the
holidays are like without having him here," she said. "This concert
will let us spend time with others in the same situation and it will
be a nice night out for us as well."
This is the fourth consecutive year that the 287th has given a
holiday concert. Vavala revived the concerts, once a regular feature
of the season, when he took command of the Delaware Guard.
Chief Warrant Officer Charles E. Hockersmith, the 287th's
commanding officer, said he and the band always look forward to the
concerts.
"This is for the families," he said. "We want to do what we can
to help them celebrate the season despite the fact their loved ones
are away for the holidays. We want them to know that they are not
alone at this special time of the year."
Sgt. 1st Class Mary Righos, a band member and full-time National
Guard soldier, agreed with Hockersmith.
"The military in Delaware is like a big family and we always try
to do something special for the families of soldiers who are
deployed," she said. "We want to do as much as we can this year to
help these families have as joyous a season as possible."
The concert is free and open to the public. Those who wish to can
make contributions to the Guard's Family Support Group at the
concert.
Reach Mike Billington at 856-7645 or mailto:mbillington@delawareonline.com
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