The Garden City Middle School Marching Band was bursting with American pride this past Memorial Day parade, demonstrating patriotic spirit and exemplifying the true meaning of the holiday celebration. The theme for the band was a continuation of a project labeled, 'Support Our Soldiers.'

For the past five months, the Garden City Middle School Band Program has been working on Project S.O.S., which began with a request by Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Storz of the 77th RRC 408th Personnel Services Battalion stationed in Iraq. The project was established in order to educate students about the importance of community service and to provide opportunities for service within the middle school band curriculum.

Colonel Storz's son, Matthew, a member of the eighth-grade band, provided the band program with a 'wish list' compiled by his father requesting that food items and other necessities from home be sent to his soldiers stationed abroad. Students amassed 18 large boxes containing food, personal items and many DVDs. Project S.O.S. allowed students to become aware of the efforts of the servicemen and women deployed around the world.

Colonel Donald Menard, brother of Martha Boonshaft, director of bands, visited the middle school bands and shared with them many of the experiences he had during his 25-year tenure in the United States Army. Colonel Menard spoke about his service in Desert Storm in 1990 and reinforced the true meaning for commemorating Memorial Day.

Over 200 musicians volunteered to march in this year's Memorial Day parade. Even though marching in the parade was optional, the opportunity to march alongside active members of the United States Military encouraged the participation of more than two-thirds of the middle school band program. Matthew Storz presented Mrs. Boonshaft and the band department with a service award on behalf of his father and the United States Army for their efforts in Project S.O.S.

Along with the members of the 77th RRC 408th Personnel Services Battalion who marched with the band this Memorial Day were members of the 8th Medical Brigade, under the command of Colonel Menard, 11 members of the 344th Combat Support Hospital, under the command of Major Marie C. Houanche, and Garden City resident Master Sergeant James Dupont, father of Garden City Middle School Color Guard member Kelly Dupont. Sgt. Dupont is a member of the 2nd Battalion 25th Marines.

A reception was held at the middle school following the parade in order to thank the servicemen and women who, through their participation, exemplified to the students the true meaning of the Memorial Day observance and service to the community.