FReeper Canteen ~ Honoring Women Military Bands ~ 20 February 2007

Internet ^ | February 19, 2001 | Soaring Feather

[Soaring Feather]

Today, we honor, Women Military Bands.


400th WAC Band
Source:Women's World War II Military Bands

Good Morning, Troops!
Thank You for your service!

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FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

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On July 20, 1942, the first contingent of women was inducted into the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. By early 1943, five bands, the 400th Army Band, 401st Army Band , 402d Army Band, 403d Army Band, and the 404th Army Band were composed entirely of women. WAAC bands were later redesignated and officially activated in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) on January 21, 1944.


Eventually the only Army Band made up entirely of women, was the 14th Army WAC Band, activated at Fort Meade, Maryland in August 1948. The 14th reported to the Women's Army Corps Training Center at Camp Lee in March the following year. Its commander was WOJG Katherine V. Allen, a graduate of the Julliard School of Music. She also attended the Boston Conservatory, University of Virginia, and The College of William and Mary. Under WOJG Allen's command the 14th Army WAC Band toured many different regions including the Fifth Army area of responsibility, Hollywood, California, and the Rose Bowl Parade in 1951.

The very first military all women band, the Women's Army Band organized at Fort Des Moines in 1942, was led by then Sergeant Mary Belle Nissly. As a result of special legislation, early in 1944 WAC Sergeant Nissly became the first woman in military history to win a warrant officer band leader appointment.


Warrant Officer Nissly left the Army in 1946 but returned to the service as a Captain in the Air Force in 1951 to organize the United States Air Force WAF Band.


The 50 member concert unit performed all over the world playing everything from classics to rock and roll and mambos to marches. Their home base was Norton AFB in California but they were on the road 70% of the time. Unique to the WAF band was the only woman coach horn soloist in the USA - Technical Sgt Martye Awkerman, pictured above in the shadow image.


In the mid 1950's the WAF band played in New York City and as an Air Force recruiting sergeant at the time, I had the pleasure of being their escort. When they played at the dress rehersal of the Garry Moore Show the program's orchestra "vacated the orchestra pit" and invited the WAF Band to take the stage and play for the show. Circumventing the musician's union rules this way was a grand tribute to the WAF band.

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Please remember The Canteen is a cyber home for our Troops, check your politics at the door.
All information comes from the Internet.

[fatima]

Thanks E.G.C.(((Hugs)))

[fatima]

Thank you Beautiful.

[fatima]

Thank you El Gran Salseron,heehee-Your hired Again:)

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Everyone. Good morning

Thank you, Ms. Feather, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities. Women Military Bands is a very interesting theme.

DC Metroland weather report ~ Today..... Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain this afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. ~ Tonight...... Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Lows around 40. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Oh my gosh! Look at that. I can't believe the temps are finally getting out of the teens.

Sorry I'm late. Had another appointment this morning. Now, I am back home where I will be working today instead of from the office. This means I'll be in and out.

I know I missed a few of you yesterday when I left before you got here. I will try to make sure I get around to saying HOWDY today before I sign off.

Time for me to run through the Canteen and see who's here. Then I must get some work done. But, you stay right where you are. Don't touch that dial. Don't change that channel. Put down that remote. Don't leave the room. Keep your eyes on your monitor. Cause...............I'll be bock!

Now remember, the Canteen is

So, come on in and sit for a while. There's always plenty of coffee, pancakes, conversation, silliness, and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM - Our Aussie Allies

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

(waving - thank you for your support and sacrifice)

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and

our allied military and the family members of the above.

Honoring those who have served before.

[Soaring Feather]

Howdy Beachy!

Thanks for the reminder to ....
REMEMBER THEM - Our Aussie Allies

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, tx.....today is going to be awful, because we didn't work yesterday. It was great to have a three day weekend tho. Glad to see you are at least above freezing.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...it's hovering at zero degrees just now. Gotta run and get ready for work. LOOOONG day coming up.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, kiddo! *HUGS*

[MeekMom]

Did you get any sleep? I haven't slept since yesterday morning.

[MEG33]

Thank you for the interesting thread, Soaring Feather...
It's 63 degrees here at the moment..should get into the 70s later.Hurry Spring!

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How's it going?

[MEG33]

Morning, EGC..Are you getting a break from the cold weather,too?

[Soaring Feather]

Thank You and, Good morning Meg, cute kitty.


Your area is roughly 30+ degrees than where I am. ;)

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Ms. Feather

Thanks for doing the thread.

[Soaring Feather]

Oh sure, you're welcome.

[beachn4fun]

WOW, that is so cute

Good morning, Meg

I'm hoping to see some of that spring weather on the east coast SOON!

[beachn4fun]

Good morning and (((HUGS))) EG. Right now, I'm just fighting computer issues.

Whatz happening out your way?

[blackie]

Great coffee, Kathy!

Good morning {{HUGS}}

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, MEG33.

I just did some lawnmowing a few minutes ago. It's forecast to be in the 60's today.

May get some storms later this week.

[Tamar1973]

OMG love the North Korea road trip ROFL LMAO

They must have really relaxed travel restrictions between South and North Korea since I lived there. If my hubby and I had tried to go to NK while we were teaching in SK, we would probably have not been allowed to return to SK. They were very strict about that kind of thing.