Photo provided courtesy of COL (Ret.) Bill McClary, Vice Commander of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars VIEW ORIGINAL
Throughout April, the 56th Army Band of America’s First Corps delivered a powerful message of pride, resilience, and connection during the Month of the Military Child, performing at more than 30 events across Washington state to honor military-connected students and their families.
The performances, ranging from full concert ensembles to smaller musical teams, were embedded into school assemblies and community events across nine school districts, including Clover Park, Yelm, Tacoma, North Thurston, and Olympia, among others. At each location, the band created a celebratory atmosphere while reinforcing the sacrifices and adaptability of military children—a message central to this month-long observance.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cena Duran, 56th Army Band commander, emphasized the deeper mission behind the music. “One of the key things we accomplish as Army musicians is creating a happy environment, a memorable moment, and an opportunity to honor veterans, history, and our community, and we do that through music,” Duran explained. “When we go out to schools during the Month of the Military Child, we recognize the sacrifices families make, particularly the children, and highlight that through fun and meaningful performances.”
This year’s engagements were part of a broader effort to align musical outreach with I Corps’ commander’s priorities: enhancing warfighting readiness, strengthening the profession of arms, fostering a culture of innovation, and improving quality of life for Soldiers and families. The band’s direct support of youth and education initiatives embodies the latter two priorities, projecting goodwill and fostering pride among future generations.
At Rainier Elementary School, Assistant Principal Brandy Hare highlighted the importance of these early engagements. “Celebrating Month of the Military Child at the elementary level builds a sense of pride and uniqueness. Having military personnel and musicians in our schools helps these children see their identity reflected in a positive, powerful way,” she said.
Antoinette Walker, School Liaison Officer for Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Child and Youth Services, echoed that sentiment. “This initiative is about building strong, supportive bridges between our installations and the communities that serve military families. The presence of the 56th Army Band has an uplifting effect—it validates these children’s unique experiences while celebrating their strength.”
Since Chief Warrant Officer 2 Duran assumed command in September 2024, the band has completed over 135 engagements, with more than 60% dedicated to community connections. The Month of the Military Child programming stands out as a cornerstone of that outreach, reinforcing not only a sense of identity and belonging for students but also strengthening ties between I Corps and the broader community.
As the sounds of brass and percussion echoed through school gyms and auditoriums, the message was clear: military children are seen, celebrated, and central to the Army family.
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