‘Infamy to Gallantry’ Concert scheduled Dec. 16 at State Capitol
Published: December 11th, 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY — “That Altus Band” will play a special concert,”From Infamy to Gallantry,” in the Oklahoma State Capitol building on the 4th floor rotunda on Tuesday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The event is designed to honor Oklahomans who served in World War II. The program will be hosted by Governor Mary Fallin, Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, Senator Mike Schulz, R-Altus, Representative Charles Ortega, R-Altus, C. Kendric Fergeson, and Edward Earl Vezey Jr.
December 7, 1941, is a date that was forever marked in American History, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The nation bore unimaginable losses, and the U.S.S. Oklahoma was one of numerous casualties.
The Oklahoma Historical Society estimates that in the course of the war, almost 5,500 Oklahomans paid the ultimate price in the fight against German fascism and Japanese militarism. Nineteen Oklahomans received Congressional Medals of Honor, and many Oklahomans went on to command major military formations during the war.
The band, based at Altus High School, has been invited to help the world honor those who served at the 2016 Pearl Harbor Day observance. That will be the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 2016.
To prepare for the unmatched opportunity at the special ceremony in Hawaii, performing for the world, the Altus Band will have a unique opportunity to honor Oklahomans who served this great country in the special concert at the Capitol in Oklahoma City.
Special guest and honorary host Edward Earl Vesey Jr., a surviving member of the U.S.S. Oklahoma, will be in attendance for the special event. Mr. Vesey survived the attack and swam to safety aboard the U.S.S. Maryland. He quickly responded to the request of the captain of the U.S.S. Maryland and took a boat to the ammunition depot to replenish ammunition. Vesey will share his story with That Altus Band members before the concert.
The concert, beginning sharply at 6:30 p.m., is free to the public and all are invited to attend. Those interested in making a tax free donation to That Altus Band to help them travel to Pearl Harbor in 2016 in honor of the 75th Anniversary may send donations to Altus High School Band, 400 North Park Avenue, Altus Ok, 73521