Pride of Herndon Marching Band Honored by Congress

Things just keep getting better for the talented students, staff and supporters of the Pride of Herndon Marching Band of Herndon High School.

After being selected as the sole band to represent the state of Virginia in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii last month, and being rewarded as the grand champions of the parade, the Pride of Herndon has just added another huge honor to the ever-growing list.

The band was honored by Congress.

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11th) drafted the above letter to congratulate the band before Congress recently. The letter was officially entered into the Congressional Record.

"I rise to congratulate the Herndon High School Marching Band for being selected to participate in the 2013 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and for receiving grand champion honors in recognition of their outstanding performance," Connolly wrote in the letter.

"Each year, one high school band from each state that bears the same name as an American battleship or other vessel that was attacked at Pearl Harbor is invited to participate in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade. This year, the Herndon High School Marching Band was chosen to represent Virginia," it reads.

"While in Hawaii, the Pride of Herndon toured the USS Arizona Memorial, performed in front of the USS Missouri, met with World War II veterans who survived the Pearl Harbor attack, and served as Virginia's official "ambassador" to the parade," the letter continues. "Following the parade, a three-judge panel designated the band as Grand Champions for the quality and appropriateness of their performance."

Connolly also recognized many who helped make the Pride of Herndon's trip possible.

"The band's participation in this event would not have been possible without support of the Herndon High School Band Parents Association and the Herndon High School community, including the Herndon Rotary, which raised more than $15,000 to help fund the cost of the trip."

The letter concludes, "I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Principal William Bates, Band Director Kathleen Jacoby, and the Herndon High School Marching Band on this tremendous achievement and in commending them for their roles in honoring and paying tribute to our Greatest Generation."

In other recent great news for the band, drum major Blake Morgan just performed on Saturday in the band for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas—one of only 125 students from across the country selected to do so.

Give the band a shout-out in the comments!

FOLLOW HERNDON PATCH FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS!