Former Albany Marine Band historical showcase unveiled by LOGCOM

MCLB-ALBANY — They went out three years ago at the top of their game, and they have not been forgotten.

Marine Corps Logistics Command honored the former Albany Marine Band with a display showcase and small ceremony Tuesday in the LOGCOM Headquarters building onboard Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, with LOGCOM employees — a few of whom worked closely with the band — present.

“We wanted to make sure we enshrined their history,” said LOGCOM Executive Deputy Michael Madden. “It is a pretty fitting tribute to something so big in our lives. We are excited to be able to do this today.”

The group’s last band officer, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christian Flores, was among those present for the unveiling.

“As a Marine musician, you don’t get to see the impact you had on folks,” he said. “This place in particular is a big part of my history … I didn’t think I would come back here. Now I have a reason to come back here. Now I’ll have to make a pilgrimage each year.”

The Albany Marine Band, established in 1990, was considered an integral part of the installation, including all commands, as well as the Albany community, when it was here. The band performed at on-base events and activities as well as several Albany area and regional community events.

The group was named the 2011 Marine Band of the Year by the Marine Corps, the second time in two years the group had received the honor. Shortly afterward, word came down from Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington that the band would be deactivated due to budget cuts.

The band was formally deactivated in February 2012 after playing its final notes in a brief ceremony at MCLB-Albany. It was one of two out of the 12 total Marine bands at the time to be cut, along with the band stationed in Twentynine Palms, Calif. After the band was dissolved, its members went to the remaining 10 bands.

In its last year of existence, the band traveled more than 20,000 miles for civilian and military performances and entertained audiences totaling more than 5.6 million. Among the engagements in its 22-year service included playing for Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 and the 2009 re-opening of the Statue of Liberty crown.

The band was on the road 150 days out of the year and accounted for about 40 percent of the public relations mission for the Marine bands. With those engagements, the Albany Marine Band gained a reputation many close to the base might not have been aware of — even though there was a strong attachment between it and the community at home.

During Flores’ time here, there even was a fight song for LOGCOM commissioned known as “Freedom’s Shield” by Julie Giroux.