The Stephen Decatur Marching Seahawks made school history by representing the state of Maryland and the USS Maryland during the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade all while honoring the lives lost during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
The following is a brief recap of the once in a lifetime trip from the perspective of both journalist and musician, Chase Wagner.
The band departed on December 4 from Baltimore International Airport, flew to San Francisco International Airport for a layover, then landed in Honolulu. After the long flight, students were debriefed on what to expect over the coming days once they arrived at the hotel in Waikiki.
On December 5, the band arrived at the Pearl Harbor Museum in Pearl City. While there, students learned more of the history regarding the attack, explored the USS Arizona (BB-39) memorial, and visited the wall of names that were lost during the attack on the Arizona. Following the museum visit, the band played its first notes next to the USS Missouri (BB-63), which was where Japan formally surrendered, effectively ending World War II. The marching Seahawks played its show music: American Voices: Intro: The Dream, Part I: The Arm of Freedom, and Part II: Farewell of the Last Queen. Other music involved cadence from the Drum line, and the theme from the Legend of Zelda. After performing, the band was given the opportunity to freely explore the USS Missouri (BB-63) and given the rest of the evening to enjoy Waikiki and watch a firework show.
On December 6, the band took a bus tour to the Dole Pineapple Plantation and enjoyed fresh Hawaiian pineapples, then left for the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) where the band explored and learned about the history and culture of the Pacific Ocean tribes. The band also got to enjoy a canoe tour, explore island villages, and a buffet dinner at the PCC, and finished the night off with an evening show called “Hā: The Breath of life”.
On December 7, the band got the morning to enjoy Waikiki and prepare for the coming hours. At 2:30 p.m. the band departed for Ft. Derussy and rehearsed God Bless America by Irving Berlin and the Armed Forces Variant of the Star-Spangled Banner written in 1997 for the opening ceremony, which the Marching Seahawks would perform combined with different bands from across the country as well as the United State Marine Corps. (USMC) Band. The ceremony also included a performance from American Legion Department of Hawaii Pipes and Drum Corps. which played Amazing Grace. At 6:00 p.m. the parade kicked off and the Marching Seahawks marched down the street of Waikiki in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and played a modified parade version of American Voices Intro: The Dream, and cadence. The band finished marching strong and enjoyed a dinner and music provided by the USMC Band, the band was also given a trophy, medals from History Makers and a pin marking the 85th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack and the end of WWII.
On December 8, the band was given the day to explore Waikiki as a reward for their hard work and outstanding performance representing the State of Maryland, the USS Maryland, and its crew. The band arrived at the airport at 8:00 p.m. to depart from Hawaii, fly to San Francisco, and finally return home to the state of Maryland.
