And The Band Played On In Iraq
Les Brown and his Band of Renown being unavailable, the Army’s 25th Infantry Division band travels around Iraq playing music for the troops — and pulling guard duty
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Sgt. James Sproul plays Taps at a funeral for a fallen
comrade
While it may be true that an Army travels on its stomach, the modern warrior also needs highly developed weapons, armor, communications gear - and maybe a trombone and trumpet combo to get the foxhole jumping.
OK, that may not describe the standard gear for most soldiers, but it’s quite accurate for the members of the 25th Infantry Band, who along with their Army brothers and sisters have recently been extended in Iraq. Yes, Schofield Barracks has a band in Iraq and they’re playing in places not even Toby Keith would visit.
Armed with rifles and bullet-proof vests, they tote their instruments far beyond the so-called safety of Baghdad’s “Green Zone” to small security stations that are strewn throughout some of the most dangerous places in the world. And they would have it no other way.
“When you’re standing there in your full battle gear, when you got your vest on and everything else on ... and they’re holding flashlights so we can read music and play Christmas carols, and all the guys are singing Christmas carols with you, and you see their faces, and they come up to you and put their arms around you, you can’t beat that. That’s when you realize, that’s why I am here,” says Sgt. 1st Class Michael McClaran of one of his favorite military moments.
From left, with their automatic weapons within reach,
Sgt. Brian Hull, Staff Sgt. Mark Goodier, Sgt. Quincy
Dunker, Sgt. Michael McClaran and Spc. David
Bustillos play Christmas music for the troops
The other came when members of the U.S. military and local Iraqi civilians joined to make a living nativity scene while the band played on.
Military units have used music for a variety of purposes for centuries - to position troops, signal orders in camp and to spur men on to victory. The jobs may have changed, but the spirit remains. According to the U.S. Army website, our nation’s fighting musicians got their start in 1633 when drummers were used by the Colony of Virginia for marching practice during militia drills. The first actual band in the colonies was formed in New Hampshire 20 years later, and consisted of two drums and 15 oboes. Col. Benjamin Franklin marched a thousand men with hautboys (musicians) and fifes in ranks in 1756, and throughout the Civil War, two world wars, Korea,Vietman and anywhere else U.S. forces have been sent, the bands have gone along to provide much-needed relief to service-members.
Think about it. How many of us plug in our MP-3s to get us through a difficult day at the office? Now imagine what kind of stress reliever you’d need when your biggest worry is not a cantankerous boss, but a sniper hidden among a thousand innocent civilians just waiting to part your hair with a high-caliber projectile.
While the 25th Infantry Band took off for Iraq last year, one member was left behind for another, more somber mission: to play Taps for fallen soldiers and for veterans who have passed. It’s a job that’s as soul wrenching as it is inspiring.
Sgt. James Sproul, a trumpet player for the 25th Infantry Band, has played at more than 160 such events throughout his five-year career, and though it may seem like the toughest gig a musician can have, it’s one that he takes great pride in doing.
Sgt. Michael McClaran: Let’s blast Iran with decibels
“It’s an honor,” he says. “I do the best I can for the family. Even if I wasn’t a military person, I would want to do something for them. Something genuine. It’s also an emotional thing ... I had a number of times when a mom or a wife that was left behind comes over and mentioned how well it was done, how well Taps was played. For those types of performances, that’s what I am there for, for the family.”
McClaran agrees on the importance of playing the simple song well.
“Taps is not a difficult bugle call to play, but it’s the hardest, hardest bugle call to play emotionally. When you play at a funeral and the family is there, it’s very emotional and it’s very difficult because you want to do your best. It’s a lot of pressure.”
In addition to their duties raising the spirit of those in combat, members of the 25th Infantry
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