The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band from Fort Benning, Ga.
photo by Maneuver Center of Excellence
The community is invited to show its patriotic support of the U.S. military and first responders by lining LaFayette Road in Fort Oglethorpe on Nov. 5 for the 2nd Annual “Honoring Those Who Serve” parade. Building on last year’s success, parade organizers are looking to fill the parade route with flag waving and cheering fans.
New for 2022, the parade has been selected by The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band from Fort Benning, Ga. to participate in. “We are so excited that The MCoE Band has agreed to travel from Columbus to be in this year’s parade,” says Council Lady Paula Stinnett. “With all the requests they get each year we are honored that our parade was selected and we can’t wait to show our patriotic spirit as proud Americans honoring our veterans and all those who serve.“
The parade is just one week before Veterans Day and will honor those who serve and have served in the military first. But like Honor Park, it will also honor all first responders who serve our community, from those who protect us and help us to many others, including teachers.
Additionally, the Alhambra Highlanders Pipes and Drums Band, Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School Band and drum line will also perform and be joined by military, civic and community organizations, businesses, car clubs, scout troops and more.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. in the Big Lots parking lot on the corner of Highway 27 and Battlefield Parkway, formerly the Kmart plaza, in Fort Oglethorpe. The parade will travel south on LaFayette Road and end at Harker Road.
All businesses, government (fire, police and more), schools, bands, ROTC, hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, churches, civic groups, artists, crafters, car buffs, everyone is invited to participate in the parade.
To participate in the parade see guidelines and forms here.
About The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band
The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band’s history dates back to 1916 when the band was first organized in El Paso, Texas, as the 34th Infantry Band, of the 34th Infantry Regiment. During its time with the 34th Infantry Regiment, the band earned campaign participation credit in World War 1 at Lorraine, France. The band served many years at Fort Benning, Ga., until it was deactivated in June 1940. In October of 1942, the band was reactivated at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and this time aligned with the 136th Infantry Regiment. The band was called on to support overseas efforts during wartime, before being deactivated again in December of 1946. After several re-organizations and re-designations, the band was finally activated once again at Fort Benning, Ga. in 1955 as the 283rd Army Band. In 2009, during Fort Benning’s transformation with Fort Knox, the band was officially designated as the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band.
For over 60 years, the musicians of the United States Maneuver Center of Excellence Band have taken great pride in entertaining the soldiers, families and civilians of the Fort Benning and Phenix City communities in Georgia. Through music, they’ve shared the story of our nation and its soldiers worldwide.
Currently the MCoE Band, with its eight performing groups accomplishes over 400 missions a year in support of the military and civilian communities in and around Fort Benning, Georgia. The band lives by the Maneuver Center of Excellence motto “One Force, One Fight.”
photo by Nickie Gates