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History
of
The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi
On Saturday, May
19, 1986 Mr. Ram Chavez was the parade marshal and keynote speaker for
the Armed Forces Day at Sherrill Park. When it came time to play the
national anthem, a record was utilized to provide the ceremonial music.
The need and commitment was visualized that live music would enhance
the respect that all patriotic ceremonies deserved. Mr. Chavez pledged
his commitment to bring such respect to all patriotic events. So, on
June 3, 1986, the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi was formed with twenty-three
members, under the direction of Mr. Ram Chavez, Vietnam veteran and
band director at W. B. Ray High School, in the Corpus Christi Independent
School District. Since its inception, The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi
has enhanced the
respect and dignity that all patriotic ceremonies deserve.
Facts at a Glance:
- Board of Directors:
- Ram Chavez
- Chairman
- Eddie Garza
- Funds and Resources.
- Ed Hackett
- Personnel
- Bob Allen
- Finance/Secretary
- John Earhart
- Logistics
- Fred Trejo
- Protocol
- Louis Bazaldua
- Public Relations
- Notable Performances:
- Presidents
and Vice Presidents:
- President
George H. Bush
- President
Bill J. Clinton
- President
George W. Bush
- Vice
President George H. Bush
- Vice
President Dan Quayle
- Notable
Persons:
- Texas
Governor Rick Perry
- Texas
Governor. Ann Richards
- Presidential
Candidate Ross Perot
- Corpus
Christi Mayors:
- Mayor
Emeritus Luther Jones
- Mayor
Betty Turner
- Mayor
Mary Rhodes
- Mayor
Lloyd Neal
- Mayor
Henry Garrett
- Vietnam
Veterans National Memorial:
- Vietnam
Veterans Traveling Memorial:
- Corpus
Christi, Texas
- Killen,
Texas
- Ingleside,
Texas
- Rockport,
Texas
- Falfurrias,
Texas
- La Grange,
Texas
- Houston,
Texas
- Dallas:
- Southwest
Stars and Stripes Salute
- Washington,
D.C.:
- American
Bicentennial Presidential Inaugural Parade
- Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Nov. 11, 1994
- Austin,
Texas:
- Inaugural
parade of Governor Ann Richards
- For the
salute and welcome home of desert storm troops
- Performed
at the state Capitol several events
- Houston:
- Memorial
weekend and V.A. hospital
- San Antonio:
- Fiesta
Parade
- V.A.
Hospital
- Corpus
Christi:
- Miss
Texas Pageant USA
- Welcome
and dedication of the USS Lexington
- Groundbreaking
of the State Aquarium
- Welcome
of the Columbus Ships to Corpus Christi
- Games
of Texas
- U. S.
Bowling Congress
- Military
Events:
- Military
Change of Command Ceremonies
- Military
Balls
- Texas
and the Rio Grande Valley:
- Dedication
of Veterans Nursing Home
- Founded On:
- June 3, 1986,
with 23 members
- Declarations:
- The official
band of Corpus Christi
- Honored by:
- The Texas
Senate
- The Texas
House of Representatives
- Rehearsals:
- Every Wednesday
night
- Bands home
- The restored
Buddy Lawrence house at Heritage Park
- Five Purple
Heart Recipients:
- For wounds
received in action
- Vietnam
War
- Desert
Storms
- Peacetime
between wars
- Members Service:
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Marine
Corp
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Air
Force
- U.S. Coast
Guard
- U.S. Army
Reserve
- U.S. Air
Force Reserve
- U.S. Army
National Guard
- Member's Careers:
- Corpus Christi
Army Depot workers
- U.S. Postal
service
- Medical
- Business profession
- Transportation
- City
- County
- State agencies
- Refinery
- School personnel
- Retired employees
- The Veterans
Band Includes:
- Several brothers
in the band, and brother-in-laws
- School mates
- Honored by:
- Many organizations,
both military businesses
- City of Corpus
Christi, State of Texas
- And National
organizations
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