T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY From left to right, trumpeter Paul Hermanson (U.S. Navy), baritone player Dave Staron (U.S. Army) and clarinetist Chuck Bogner (U.S. Air Force), all of Marshalltown, will perform a free concert with the Iowa Military Veterans Band at the Des Moines Civic Center on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Three Marshalltown men — Army veteran and baritone player Dave Staron, Navy veteran and trumpeter Paul Hermanson and Air Force veteran and clarinetist Chuck Bogner — will show off their musical talents and their patriotism with the Iowa Military Veterans Band at the Des Moines Civic Center Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Both Staron and Hermanson served from 1969 to 1971, and Bogner was in from 1972 to 1976. Staron and Bogner actually played in the bands of their respective branches, while Hermanson was a Navy dentist entrusted with caring for the prisoners of war who returned from Vietnam.

Bogner is a charter member of the Military Veterans Band, which has now been in existence for over 20 years.

“It’s just the camaraderie, and it gives us an opportunity to play. We get together with a bunch of guys, and we play four to five events like American Legion conventions, VFWs, we go around the state and play at different festivities (including the Iowa Veterans Home),” Staron said. “And the guys are really dedicated.”

Although Staron added that he loves all the songs they play, his personal favorite is “Stars and Stripes Forever,” while Bogner is partial to “America the Beautiful” and Hermanson loves “Bugler’s Holiday.” In addition to the traditional patriotic and military-themed songs, they also have a jazz band that performs as part of the act.

The Civic Center is located at 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines, and the show will be free to attend. The band runs entirely on private funding and does not receive taxpayer assistance, and tax deductible donations can be sent to the Iowa Military Veterans Band at 4607 Locust St. in Des Moines.

Along with providing a fun outlet for those who have served to continue hone their skills, it also serves a deeper purpose, according to Hermanson.

“I guess that’s one of the things I think is important is that it seems like in our country, we’re losing the patriotic mentality, and we’re trying to bring that back,” he said.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.