by Marianne Christy
When the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division Band takes the stage at Inlet’s Arrowhead Park on Sunday, July 26, it will be among one of their final state-side performances before their deployment to Afghanistan.
According to Jerry Dupuis of the Fulton Chain of Lakes Performing Arts Council, Inc., sponsor of the event, the band was notified a week ago that they would be deployed sometime after Labor Day.
It marks the fifth time band members will be headed to Afghanistan, and as Dupuis said, their mission is obvious.
“It’s morale boosting for the troops…it’s a little taste of home,” he said.
Dupuis said the representatives of the band he spoke with were looking forward to the off-base performance in Inlet as it would, perhaps, be the last time.
And that’s what makes this concert especially significant…as the audience will have the opportunity to play their own role by offering the band a proper send-off.
“When I was sent off three separate times in the course of five years, when we left the pier it was filled with family, well-wishers and town folk. It was a good feeling to watch all those white handkerchiefs waving. How often do Adirondackers get the chance to send off any unit of the muilitary to the front? This is our chance!” Dupuis, a Navy veteran, said.
The concert is free of charge and begins at 2 p.m. Open seating begins under the tent at 1:30 p.m.
As in the past, security will be in force and no backpacks or large bags will be allowed on-site. Bag checking service will be provided.
A free-will offering will be accepted to off-set the band’s transportation costs.
The performance is a free gift to the community that the community, in turn, has the opportunity to reciprocate with their presence, support and enthusiasm.
“They are going in harm’s way, and for us here who are comfortable at home, to see them off on that Sunday and say, ‘Fair winds and following seas, and may God be with you.’ I think is fitting and proper,” Dupuis said.