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.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our National Anthem

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America

[stephenjohnbanker]

Just click your ruby slippers, and repeat.......

There's no place like Knome
There's no place like Knome
There's ...........no.place.............

[El Gran Salseron]

There was a female Air Force sergeant who sang during President RR's funeral. I wish I could find out who she is or how to find a video of her singing "America." What a voice she has. It made me wonder why she is in the Air Force and not on Broadway or doing opera.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, ms feather, for today's Honoring Women Military Bands.

[Kathy in Alaska]

From Xerox ~ Let's Say Thanks to our Troops

Simple. Easy. Involve your kids.
We can each send thanks every single day.

[AZamericonnie]

And Look....Toto's here too!

[Tanniker Smith]

Thank you, no. It was cold enough for me this weekend walking around Philadelphia.
I don't need to freeze myself everyday just walking to the mailbox!

TS
(and what a mailbox it is, too!)

[Tanniker Smith]

Almost time for it??

[Tanniker Smith]

Almost time for it??

[Tanniker Smith]

Almost time for it??

[SevenofNine]

Well guess who badmouth former secretary of Defense Rummy apparently Arizona RINO John Mccain that crazy old fool he claim Rummy go does as US worst secretary of Defense WHO Said MCAINNN HELLOO NBC news historian I doubt it

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Soaring Feather]

Ah, alas, I do not remember who the singer was. Maybe a search of RR funeral will give that info.

[Soaring Feather]

You're welcome Kathy.

[SandRat]

Ok I'm in

[AZamericonnie]

Hummmm....I thought he was the "Travelling" gnome!:)

[Soaring Feather]

Good evening to you.

[CMS]

Evening MA *HUGS* How are you?

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]