Harrisburg’s Italian Lake, the site of a concert on Saturday.
This weekend, patriotic tunes will temporarily displace the usual sounds of songbirds and water fowl at Italian Lake.
Starting at 6 p.m., the 28th Infantry Division Concert Band will perform a variety of music, including John Phillips Sousa marches, in honor of the Pennsylvania 28th Division of the National Guard and veterans around the nation.
The musicians are all active duty members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and will travel from all corners of the state for the performance.
The Special Projects Committee of the Greater Harrisburg Area is sponsoring the event. This committee is simply “a group of men and women who want to help get things done,” according to committee member Mike Trephan.
It was over lunch at the West Shore Plaza Family Restaurant that the idea for the tribute concert came about. Committee members felt as though National Guard service often goes unrecognized and uncelebrated, and they wanted to host something to show their appreciation.
“There’s been a toll on these people serving multiple tours,” said committee member and former WGAL anchor Jim Sinkovitz.
The committee and its members have been involved in numerous projects in the past, including the Pride of the Susquehanna, City Island, and more recently, getting Reservoir Park’s fountains up and running. The goal is to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of residents in the greater Harrisburg area, and this concert fits into their mission.
“We don’t have any agenda other than to keep what our forefather’s left us going,” said Trephan.
The 28th Infantry Division Concert Band will perform Saturday, July 22, beginning at 6 p.m. at Italian Lake, N. 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg. The concert is free.
Author: Allison Moody
