Honor our troops while enjoying free live music this Sunday

Have you marked your calendar? Because this Sunday is your chance to honor and support U.S. military service members, past and present, while enjoying a free concert of patriotic music performed by the Lafayette Band of North Kingstown.

The band's annual Armed Forces Salute concert will begin at 2:00 p.m. on May 17 at St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Road, North Kingstown. Music Director Charles Johnson will lead the band in a program of marches, medleys, big band and swing music, and tunes with military themes.

All veterans and their family members in attendance will be recognized with their service branches. There's no charge for admission, and all ages are welcomed.

Donations at the door will be shared with the Providence VA Medical Center Voluntary Services Office, to aid veterans in need. Past Armed Forces Salute concerts have generated more than $6,500 in contributions to the VA.

The concert is supported by funding from the North Kingstown Arts Council.

The Lafayette Band is a nonprofit community concert band founded more than 140 years ago. More information about the band and the concert is available online at lafayettebandri.org or Facebook, Lafayette Band - Rhode Island.