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December 2006
Delaware National Guard-
DNG NEWS

287th rocks the (Grand Opera) house
By Sgt. Nathan Bright, Public Affairs Specialist


The annual Delaware National Guard Holiday Concert, held at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington for the eighth year, saw some tradition and some tom-foolery.

The master of ceremonies of the evening, Clerk of the Peace Ken Bolden, appeared on stage as Santa, sans pants. The “costume malfunction” was blamed on Bolden’s good friend and bandmaster, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ed Hockersmith’s forgetfulness. This earned the commander of the 287th Army Band a place on the “naughty list” of Santa/Boulden.

The band played traditional holiday tunes, as well as a re-mix featuring a classic Army march. Tradition also included Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala and the leadership of the Delaware National Guard bringing onstage all the senior leaders in the audience for the “Colonel’s Choir,” led by Staff Sgt. Nina Ritter and Sr. Airman Elizabeth Brown, probably the only two in tune.

A good time was had by all.

In an ongoing tradition, the senior-most officers of the organization, and their enlisted “right-hand’ men and women, take the stage to sing a few carols.

In an ongoing tradition, the senior-most officers of the organization, and their enlisted “right-hand’ men and women, take the stage to sing a few carols.
Members of the 287th Army Band Brass section.

back to front, left to right: Sgt. Rodney Allen, Baltimore, Md; Spc. Justin David, Newark, Del; Staff Sgt. Roger Blanchard, Middletown, Del; Spc. Timothy Gantzhorn, Norristown, Pa; Spc. Amanda Meade, Milford, Del; Staff Sgt. Samuel Bates, Baltimore, Md; Spc. Rebecca Dyer, Wilmington, Del; Sgt. Mary Kate Hall, Newark, Del.

Sgt. Charles Fricker (left) and Staff Sgt. Don Daley, both Newark, Del. residents, bring Christmas music to life on the xylophone.
Sgt. Charles Fricker (left) and Staff Sgt. Don Daley, both Newark, Del. residents, bring Christmas music to life on the xylophone.
Spc. Phillip Garritt (nametape is incorrect) is from Philadelphia.

Spc. Phillip Garritt (nametape is incorrect) is from Philadelphia.

Spc. John Lee (front) and Staff Sgt. Roger Blanchard, both from Middletown.

Spc. John Lee (front) and Staff Sgt. Roger Blanchard, both from Middletown.

Staff. Sgt Nina Ritter (left), 72nd Troop Command, from Lewes, Del., and Sr. Airman B. Elizabeth Brown, 166th Medical Group, from Wilmington, Del., lead the “Colonel’s Choir” during the concert.

Staff. Sgt Nina Ritter (left), 72nd Troop Command, from Lewes, Del., and Sr. Airman B. Elizabeth Brown, 166th Medical Group, from Wilmington, Del., lead the “Colonel’s Choir” during the concert.

The MC, Clerk of the Peace Ken Boulden, found himself without all the required parts of his Santa uniform, thanks to Hockersmith’s oversight.

The MC, Clerk of the Peace Ken Boulden, found himself without all the required parts of his Santa uniform, thanks to Hockersmith’s oversight.