'It's my sound' Father bands with Army band for daughter's graduation

A trumpet blares out on Fort Jackson's Hilton Field today hoping that it's tune sounds familiar to the ear of a graduating Soldier.

While most families coming to graduation cheer on their new Soldier from the bleachers, Sgt. Major

Gil Hoffer, of the United States Army Band's "Pershing's Own," wanted to find a special way to celebrate his daughter completing 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training.

He wanted to perform with Fort Jackson's 282nd band.

"When Hoffer e-mailed me asking if he could march on the field for his daughter, I said no problem. Of course," said 1st Sgt. Kristin Barrett of the 282nd Band.

His daughter, Spc. Tiffany Hoffer, of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, said her father was the biggest influence in her decision to play in an Army band.

"I started playing in 5th grade and he would help me," she said. "I love watching him play and hearing him."

Gil and his daughter both play trumpet. The both attended Indiana University for music and both studied with classic trumpeter John Rommel.

Tiffany will be playing in the Army Field Band out of Fort Meade, Maryland, which is a counterpart to

Gil's band. There will be time when the two play at the same occasions.

"I hope she knows it's my sound when I play. I hope she knows it's me," Gil said. "We're both musicians so I thought this was a more meaningful way to congratulate her."