Help Hazlet's Raritan HS Band Perform At D-Day Event In France

HAZLET, NJ — The Raritan High School Marching Band has earned a rare honor.

It is one of only 10 bands in the U.S. chosen to perform at the 80th anniversary commemorations of the June 6, 1944 D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France.

D-Day marked the Allied invasion of German-occupied France and the beginning of the liberation of Europe from the Nazis.

The anniversary event isn’t until June 2024, but fundraising is already underway, Band Director Raymond Lahaye says.

"The band is such a big part of the community; it's had a lot of successes and championships," Lahaye said, referring to the 2022 Tournament of Bands state championship.

He said he was approached by a company, Historic Productions, which runs memorial events for the 80th anniversary, and was asked to provide a band video. And the Raritan band was among those chosen to participate.

But getting the band overseas will require significant funding.

The goal is to raise $500,000 to allow band students, along with chaperones, to spend four days in Normandy with the performances there, and then to also spend a few days afterward in Paris, for a total of 13 days.

He said donations are beginning to come in and there will be gift donations for raffles.

And Lahaye said he wants "to say thank you to all of the donors (so) far. We are honored to be honoring our veterans in such an historic event."

He added that a comedy night in November will be the major fundraiser. You can see lots of news about the band and its activities at its Facebook site.

The band will not only need transportation and accommodations, but also storage bins to transport the instruments such a long distance, in addition to transporting uniforms, Lahaye said.

Go to this site to get a printable donation form and to see other information about the trip and the donations.

Lahaye said the trip deposit is made, so the trip is a go.

And it should be the experience of a lifetime for the students.

The D-Day Commemoration Committee and International Salute to Liberation will commemorate WWII and 80 years of liberation, while saluting America’s war veterans and active military men and women and their families, according to information about the event.

These events will feature "America's outstanding performing ensembles and JROTC Units and music ensembles from throughout Europe in an unforgettable and historic tribute," information about the event says.

Lahaye said the band will join other bands in a "megaband" for the performance of the "Hymn to the Fallen."

He said the band will be part of the tribute at the American Cemetery and at other locations in Normandy.

The trip will take place from June 3, 2024 to June 11, 2024.

Some highlights include:

• Performing at multiple locations in Normandy to honor our fallen heroes.
• Tribute at the American Cemetery ceremonies (Brittany and Omaha Beach).
• Tours of French landmarks in both Paris and elsewhere in France.
• Transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, security and translators.

Lahaye said if you’d like to help get the band to France, you may also contact the Raritan High School Marching Band at rhsmusicdepartmentparents@gmail.com.