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Adopt a resolution recognizing the Vacaville High School band and directors Rick Luther and Andy Herout for 42 years of support to National POW/MIA Recognition Day events in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Vasquez requests the Board adopt a resolution recognizing the Vacaville High School band and directors Rick Luther and Andy Herout for 42 years of support to National POW/MIA Recognition Day events in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we pay tribute to our former prisoners of war and recommit to the difficult but essential task of seeking out answers for the families of those still missing. More than 81,000 service members and civilians remain unaccounted for from conflicts dating back to World War II.
Nearly 30 current or former Solano County residents have been identified as prisoners of war. Since at least 1982, National POW/MIA Recognition Day events have been held in Vacaville. Its earliest champions were Military Officers Association of America members Lt. Col. Earl von Kaenel and Lt. Col. Bill Bryan, a POW from World War II and Col. Fred Pelser, a POW from the Korean War.
When Col. Bryan was looking for a band to take part in the annual POW/MIA Day Recognition event, he went to his neighbor, Rick Luther. Luther was the Vacaville High School band director. For 21 years, Luther and the Vacaville High School band participated in the POW/MIA Recognition Day event until he retired in 2005. Vacaville High School's band has continued its involvement under the direction of band director Andy Herout.
For a combined 42 years, Rick Luther and Andy Herout have led the Vacaville High School band during POW/MIA Day Recognition Day events by providing arrangements such as the National Anthem and musical pieces that pay honor to each of our nation's branches of military.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost as...
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