Though he recognizes the impact all veterans have made, there’s one in particular that has always had a big impact on him personally: his father, who was a prisoner of war. We should never forget that and always be mindful of veterans and the sacrifices they made.” “I think the important part is that we continue to remember why veterans are important. “Without veterans where we would be?” he asked. Mayor Ed Kelley will also be in attendance to support a group of people who are integral to the community. “It’s a little bit of an unusual pairing, but when the museum was founded in 1946, it was found as a tribute to creative freedom and all those who defend it.” “People wonder why the art museum is so interested and supportive of veterans,” she said.
Susan Richmond, director of the museum, said honoring those who served is important because they are essential in keeping our creative freedom. Simmons will be bringing 10 of his students to perform at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum’s annual Veterans Day Event. “People who play in a band don’t necessarily love it, but on that military level people really love what they do.” Simmons said though everyone was different, his fellow band members all shared one thing in common. Of the 100 or so Army bands, the 215-members of Pershing’s Own are considered the top musicians in the military. “I played for Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton,” Simmons said with a wide grin on his face. The college kid who didn’t think the military was for him is now a veteran - and very proud of it. Matthew Simmons, chairman of music at Bethune-Cookman University, has 20 years of playing the tuba for the presidential band and meeting four of our nation’s leaders under his belt. What he didn’t expect it to provide was a job.
Still in college with dreams of being a band director, Simmons thought playing in front of the highest-level military band could provide some invaluable experience for his education. When Matthew Simmons first auditioned for the United States Army Band Pershing’s Own, he didn’t get his hopes up. One Ormond Beach resident reminisces about his days in the top military band.
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