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.

[Tamar1973]

Victory is sweet. LOL!

[SevenofNine]

OH MAN tamar I just hear another thread they let them go

And another report off Interfax wire former KGB spy claim that Russia always spy on Poland army way back in da day during mean old Soviet days according to new book

[MountainFlower]

WOOOHOOOO, Tamar~

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOW....really cool picture. Thanks for sharing.

[Tamar1973]

OH MAN tamar I just hear another thread they let them go

Then let's tackle them when they get back to the US and spade them asap. We don't want stupid people breeding more stupid people. LOL!

[SevenofNine]

Well breaking news off TMZ.com Britney Spears has check herself in rehab center in SO CAL according to report no word YET if she bought the wig with her

[SevenofNine]

Where in the world is Monk at ROFL

[Tamar1973]

if she bought the wig with her.

Buy Brittany a Wig, someone, please

[Tamar1973]

And another report off Interfax wire former KGB spy claim that Russia always spy on Poland army way back in da day during mean old Soviet days according to new book.

Who says they aren't now?

[Tamar1973]

Where in the world is Monk at ROFL

Hiding from us California rejects, probably. LOL!

[Tamar1973]

[Soaring Feather]

**--- MYSTERY QUOTE ---**

Who said this....

The difference between a successful person and others is
not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but
rather in a lack of will.


Answer to follow.

[Tamar1973]

Here's one for you from Napoleon, "Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake."

[Soaring Feather]

Okay!

[monkapotamus]

"Where in the world is Monk at ROFL"

I've been eating rotini.

[Soaring Feather]

MYSTERY QUOTE AND ANSWER - DID YOU GUESS CORRECTLY?

The difference between a successful person and others is
not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but
rather in a lack of will.

MYSTERY QUOTE ANSWER: Vincent T. Lombardi

[tomkow6]

John Jacob Jingle-Himmer Smith!

[Tamar1973]

I've been eating rotini.

Low carb, I hope. LOL!

[Soaring Feather]

WRONG!
Click...

[Soaring Feather]

Ray Charles~ All Star Jam