Members of the 77th RRC 408th Personnel Services Battalion, the 8th Medical Brigade and the 344th Combat Support Hospital under the command of Colonel Menard, and Garden City resident Master Sergeant James Dupont, a member of the 2nd Battalion 25th Marines. The Garden City Middle School Marching Band was bursting with American pride at the Memorial Day Parade, demonstrating patriotic spirit and exemplifying the true meaning of the holiday celebration. The theme for the band was a continuation of a project labeled "Support Our Soldiers."

For the past five months, the Garden City Middle School Band Program has been working on Project SOS, which began with a request by Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Storz of the 77 th RRC 408 th Personnel Services Battalion stationed in Iraq. The project was established in order to educate students about the importance of community service, and to provide opportunities for service within the Middle School Band curriculum. Colonel Storz's son, Matthew, a member of the 8 th-grade band, provided the band program with a "wish list" compiled by his father requesting that food items and other necessities from home be sent to this soldier stationed abroad. The students amassed 18 large boxes containing food, personal items and many DVDs.

Matthew Storz presented Mrs. Martha Boonshaft with the United States Army Service Award. Project SOS allowed students to become aware of the efforts of the servicemen and women deployed around the world. Col. Donald Menard, brother of Mrs. Martha Boonshaft, director of bands, visited the middle school bands and shared with them many of the experiences he had during his 25 year tenure in the United States Army. Colonel Menard spoke about his service in Desert Storm in 1990 and reinforced the true reason for commemorating Memorial Day.

Over 200 musicians volunteered to march in this year's Memorial Day parade. Even though marching in the parade was optional, the opportunity to march alongside active members of the United States military encouraged the participation of more than two thirds of the middle school band program. Matthew Storz presented Mrs. Boonshaft and the Band Department with a service award on behalf of his father and the United States Army for their efforts in Project S.O.S.

Garden City Middle School Band marches 205 students in the Memorial Day Parade in support of our soldiers. Along with the members of the 77 th RRC 408 th Personnel Services Battalion who marched with the band this Memorial Day were members of the 8 th Medical Brigade under the command of Colonel Menard, eleven members of the 344 th Combat Support Hospital under the command of Major Marie C. Houanche, and Garden City resident Master Sergeant James Dupont, father of middle school color guard member, Kelly Dupont. Sgt. Dupont is a member of the 2nd Battalion 25th Marines.

A reception was held at the middle school following the parade in order to thank the servicemen and women who, through their participation, exemplified to the students the true meaning of the Memorial Day observance and service to the community.

Kelly Dupont and dad, Master Sergeant Dupont:Colonel Donald Menard, brother of Mrs. Martha Boonshaft; Irene Storz and Matthew Storz, family of Garden City resident, Lt. Col. Kenneth Storz deployed in Iraq.

Ms. Iovino, assistant director of bands, marched with the drumline.