Band of Liberty Members Help A Nation Say Goodbye

On January 3, twenty-four members of the United States Air Force Band of Liberty joined forces with the US Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio and the Air Force Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Belleville, Illinois to provide musical support for the state funeral of Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States.

The ceremonial band, conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Alan Sierichs, Commander of the Band of Flight, performed in front of Grace Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan during the arrival of President Ford’s remains at a private funeral service for invited guests.

The day’s events brought to a close six days of official mourning which began in Palm Desert, California three days after President Ford passed away on December 26, 2006; continued in the National Capitol Region; and concluded in Grand Rapids with the January 3 funeral service, interment and sunset burial on the grounds of the Ford Presidential Museum. (see Air Force Link article)

(photos courtesy of the Department of Defense Joint Combat Camera Center)