March 28, 2024

Help Band Go ‘From Colton’s Pt. to Pearl Harbor’

band from Chopitcon

Donations are being sought to help the Chopticon High School Marching Band go “from Colton’s Point to Pearl Harbor.”

The Chopticon band, better known as the Showband of Southern Maryland, will be representing the USS Maryland and its veterans during the 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Parade and Ceremony in December 2016.

The marching band, which earned its seventh consecutive state championship earlier this year, is the only high school band in the state of Maryland invited to participate in this unique and historic event. This will be a return trip for the band.  The band represented the USS Maryland in 2012 after winning a national championship. The parade organizer was so impressed with the band, and the professionalism of the students and the director, that he was quick to invite the band back for the 75th anniversary.

The total cost of the trip will be $160,000. While the students are working hard to get themselves to Hawaii, the band boosters’ first fundraising efforts are directed toward funding the cost of shipping uniforms and equipment to Hawaii at an estimated cost of $10,000.  The boosters club is asking local businesses and organizations to assist the students in their efforts to raise funds so they might participate in honoring Pearl Harbor veterans and remembering those who were lost in the attack.

According to Ricky Rice, president of the Chopticon High School Band Boosters, a survivor of the USS Maryland will be attending this year. His name is Beverly “Clyde” Wilborn, 94. He was on the USS Maryland at the time of the attack, Dec. 7, 1941. After the Maryland was sunk he remained at Pearl Harbor to assist with recovery efforts. Later he reported for duty with the USS Columbia. He was on the ship when it was attacked by a Kamikaze pilot. He lost many shipmates during that attack. Later in the war he was with Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he made his triumphant return to the Philippines. This will be Mr. Wilborn’s first return trip to Pearl Harbor.

The organizers are going to try to arrange a time for the band to meet with Mr. Wilborn and thank him for his service.

Donations may be mailed to the Chopticon High School Band Boosters, 25390 Colton Point Road, P.O. Box 136, Morganza, MD 20660. Click here for more information.

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