A contemporary remembrance

May 27, 2005|by JULIE E. GREENE

St. Patrick's Chorale will present a tribute to Vietnam veterans this Saturday with its annual Memorial Day celebration concert.

"Songs for the Faces of Honor" will feature a mix of patriotic and pop music, including medleys of Beatles and Beach Boys tunes, said Sandra R. Shirey, founder and director of the chorale.

The 7 p.m. tribute at The Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown includes a musical tribute to each branch of the Armed Forces - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, Shirey said.

The chorale has packed the house at its two Memorial Day concerts at Hagers-town Community College's Kepler Theater in the past, but this year is holding just the one concert at the bigger theater downtown, Shirey said.

"The audience will be encouraged to join in the final number, 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree,'" Shirey said.

The song became popular during the Vietnam War when people remembered military personnel overseas by putting yellow ribbons around their trees, Shirey said.

The chorus, formed in 1997, presents concerts on Memorial Day and during the Christmas season.

At previous Memorial Day concerts, the chorus has recognized World War II and Korean War veterans.

Vietnam veterans "have been sadly neglected" and many came home severely wounded, Shirey said. "They deserve some recognition for that sacrifice."

The chorus of 39 men and women will perform as well as a children's chorus of Washington County children and a concert band of Tri-State area residents, Shirey said.

Darleen Smith will accompany the chorus on piano and the tribute will be narrated by Deb and Ed Zayas.

If you go ...

WHAT: St. Patrick's Chorale's tribute to Vietnam veterans, "Songs for the Faces of Honor."

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 28

WHERE: The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown

COST: Free, donations accepted

For more information call 301-790-0114 or go to www.stpatrickschorale.org on the Web.

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