HdG Warrior Pride Band To March In NYC Veterans Day Parade

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The Havre de Grace marching band will be in the Big Apple this Veterans Day. The Warrior Pride band will perform at the annual Veterans Day Parade, playing official service songs of the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force.

“We wanted to honor our veterans by performing these important melodies that bring a strong sense of pride and emotion for all who have served,” Havre de Grace High School Band Director Richard Hauf said.

While the marching band from Havre de Grace has taken its show on the road to Disney and D.C. for various parades, this event is special in part because it is close to the hearts of many students, according to Hauf.

Located within miles of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Havre de Grace High School is home to students whose parents work on base or who may have families in the military.

“We are very proud of the strong military presence in our school and community,” Hauf said.

The Warrior Pride Marching Band has 150 members, which represents a quarter of the student body at Havre de Grace High School. It has performed at halftime shows at MT Bank Stadium and Navy-Marine Corps Stadium as well as in the Miss America Parade in Atlantic City, the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C., and Universal Studios Orlando.

During their trip to New York, the Warriors will take a dinner cruise around the Statue of Liberty, visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and attend the Broadway show "One on This Island," according to trip organizers.

• Warrior Pride Marching Band Bound for NYC Parade
• HHS Marching Band Rolls Down Atlantic City Boardwalk in 2016 Miss America Parade
• Warrior Pride Marching Band at Cherry Blossom Parade (PHOTOS)

More than 500,000 people are expected to watch the Veterans Day Parade in New York City.

"I found last year’s parade to be the most important and memorable parade performance we have ever given," Hauf said. "We are so excited to be returning to the parade this year!"

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who is an Air Force veteran from the Korean War, will lead the 2017 parade.

The Warrior Pride Marching Band will perform an Armed Forces Salute on Fifth Avenue during the New York City Veterans Day Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. on 26th Street and Fifth Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 11. Before the parade, there will be a 10 a.m. memorial ceremony in Madison Square Park.

Photo courtesy of Warrior Pride Marching Band.