Patriotic concert for 9-11

Published 11:04 pm Monday, August 15, 2011

BENTON HARBOR — Honoring the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11, a memorial tribute will feature rousing music by the Southshore Concert Band.
There will be a 25-minute visual and musical presentation by the concert band and they have requested no applause during this time.
Afterward, four speakers —Jim Kesterke (former Berrien Springs police chief), Hank Richmond (veteran, retired from the Pentagon), Gary Blied (veteran, airline pilot) and Johnny Barreiro (retired from New York Police Department) – will each reflect on Ground Zero, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 from their own personal experience.
If scheduling allows for attendance, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton will express our nation’s resolve to defeat terrorism.
Jim Cassidy will emcee as they honor the losses of Sept. 11, 2001.
Under the direction of Dale Reuss, the two-hour program of patriotic favorites also includes a stirring musical memorial to the 9/11 attack: Rushmore by Alfred Reed, The Light Eternal by James Swearingen, Amazing Grace by Frank Ticheli and As All the Heavens Were a Bell by Jay Babcock.
The program will conclude with enlivened patriotic music as only the Southshore Concert Band can produce.
Dedicated to those who lost their lives in 9/11, the performance is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center Mainstage in Benton Harbor.
This will surpass being a concert — it will be an event you will be proud you attended.
Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, children on laps are free.
Advance tickets are available at Martin’s Super Market in both St. Joseph and Stevensville, as well as from Lest We Forget members.
Day of show only, tickets will be available at the Mendel box office for $12.
Contact Don Alsbro at (269) 925-7176 or dealsbro@sbcglobal.net for more information or advance tickets.