Monday, December 9, 2024
AZLE — A benefit concert was held at Azle High School the evening of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The Azle High School Wind Ensemble was joined by the school choir in patriotic tunes such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “The Liberty Bell March,” “Hymn to the Fallen,” “America the Beautiful” and “Armed Forces, The Pride of America.” The concert was held in the school auditorium in collaboration with the AHS Band Booster Club. Funds raised for the concert were donated to the Fort Worth chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. Azle ISD Assistant Superintendent of Finance Matt Adams also spoke and introduced each branch of the armed forces in the final song, “Armed Forces, The Pride of America.” Near the end of the concert, Davis presented representatives of the CVMA with a check for $1,600.
Along with the expected fanfare, “Hymn to the Fallen” from the soundtrack of popular war movie “Saving Private Ryan” was chosen specifically by band director Greg Davis to honor soldiers who lost their lives in battle.
“The next piece this evening is special to me for a few reasons,” Davis said. “I felt very strongly that, although this is not a Memorial Day concert, I felt that it was very important that we recognize those who sacrificed so much, making the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
Aaron Byers, who goes by “Doc,” was one of the CVMA members attending the concert. Byers was in the United States Navy for 24 years and retired at the rank of chief hospital corpsman.
“On behalf of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Fort Worth Chapter we greatly appreciate these kids (who) thought about us to donate to our organization helping vets,” Byers said. “We use the money to help other veterans and within our own organization and also around the area of Texas, Fort Worth or anywhere. We help vets all over the world. We ride for vets that can't ride and that aren't with us anymore. So, doing this helps us out a lot. We come together all the time to ride. We do benefits, raise money, support other organizations. It's about a brother and sisterhood. For me personally, when I retired four years ago, I knew I needed to be around brothers and sisters.”
