The Hillgrove High School Marching Band and Orchestra will travel to Normandy France in June of 2019 to participate in the 75th anniversary of D-Day commemoration ceremonies. With over 200 travelers, Cobb County’s music programs will be well represented. Included in the itinerary are two performances at the American Cemeteries at Brittany and Normandy France, a concert in the town square in St Mere Eglise, a concert in Paris, and the 75th annual D-Day Parade through St Mere Eglise. The students will also tour many sites associated with the battles in France during World War 2. The students will also place commemorative “Challenge Coins” on the gravestone of each and every Georgia-born soldier buried in these two cemeteries, a token of our gratitude for their sacrifice.
Finally, traveling as our special invited guest will be Master Sergeant Victor Graham. Mr Graham is a Marietta resident who landed on the beaches of Omaha in Normandy on June 6th, 1944 as a 17 year old young man. We are honored to bring this hero back to the site of our victory 75 years later! More information on Mr Graham is below:
Master Sergeant Victor Graham enlisted in the 119th Regiment , 30th Infantry, 3rd Battalion at 17 years old. His Medals and Awards include:
5 Battle Stars
Normandy
Northern France
The Bulge
The Rhineland
Central Europe – Invasion Arrowhead
Two Purple Hearts
Sept. 1944
Last Week of the war
Silver Star
Christopher Ferrell, Supervisor
Instrumental Music
