Thomson Band Performs at Pearl Harbor Thomson High School Band Tours Hawaii  December 2006     “WE MADE HISTORY!”   I want to take a moment and recap our Hawaii trip. I’ll start by saying “We made History” and “This was the best band trip I have ever taken during my career as a Band Director.” The purpose of the Hawaii trip was to perform for the commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Bombing. We were extended this invitation three years ago as a result of our accomplishments thus far in the band program.   The trip consisted of 136 students, band directors, parents, alumni and future Bulldog Brigade members. We left in two large groups. The first group met in the THS Band Room at 4:45 AM on Dec 27, 2006 and pulled out at 5:15 AM. The second group met at 9:15 AM and pulled out at 9:45 AM. We rode to the Atlanta Airport in McDuffie County School Buses. When the first group arrived, the airport was overcrowded with post holiday traffic and all the workers were stressed out. We arrived three hours ahead of our flight time and used every single minute to get to the plane. Someone asked me if there were any hang ups about the trip. Every time I think about it, the Atlanta Airport comes to mind. The rest of the trip was great. After we got on the plane, we took a 9 hr flight straight to Honolulu. The second flight group stopped in San Francisco and then continued to Honolulu. This was a first flight for many of the Bulldog Brigade family. After take off, I heard some students say “That was nothing” and “This is really cool.” The anticipation was scarier than the flight itself. Many participants were able to take great pictures of the landscape.     ARRIVAL DAY Upon arrival all members received traditional flower leis from our tour guide. His name was Kiri and he is originally from the island of Samoa. We were also informed that the luggage transport belt had broken in Atlanta and that our luggage would arrive later that night. Again, the Atlanta airport surfaced as another problem. There was no way that we were going to let this slow us down. After we checked into our rooms the students and adults had beach time and shopping time. Some of the students decided to go for a swim while others shopped at the international market. Others choose to swim in the wonderful pool at our world class hotel. We stayed at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel. It was full of wonderful architecture and memorabilia that represented the islands very well. Later that night all luggages arrived along with the second crew. We checked in and headed to our rooms to rest for what was to be a “Trip of a lifetime.”         DAY 2   The next day we woke up at 7:00 AM and headed to breakfast at Perry’s Smorgy. After breakfast everyone had a chance to enjoy the Island with structured free time. Some family groups swam with the dolphins at Sea Life Park while others toured the island. The adult led student groups stayed in the Waikiki area and swam, surfed, shopped, etc. The sights and sound were so overwhelming and you could just feel the excitement in the air. We also learned about the placement of the flowers in the women’s hair. The left side means you are taken. The right side means you are available. If you wear the flower in the middle it means you are ready for an upgrade – Just kidding.   Later that evening we rode a bus to the world famous Ala Moana Shopping Mall where everyone participated in more shopping and sight seeing. There were musical performances on the main stage where Glen Mederos made a guest appearance. Glen Mederos is a native of the islands and wrote a few number one hits in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He currently performs regularly for luaus and other ceremonies. At the mall he performed his number one hit song “Nothing is going to change my love for you.”   After the shopping spree where some student visited Beverly Hill’s type of shops, we headed off to “Bubba Gumps” on the 4th floor. Here we had a wonderful meal and played trivia games. After dinner we headed back to the hotel and had structured free time. Many students were in awe by the sights of all  the street musicians, artists and various performers.       DAY 3   Excitement filled the air as students and parents woke up. Some looked very tired but showed much initiative to move on with the day’s planned activities. Again we ate a full buffet breakfast at Perry Smorgy’s. After breakfast we loaded nice charter buses and headed for the Polynesian Culture Center on the North side of the island. On the way we stopped and took pictures of the North shore where Bay Watch Hawaii was filmed and drove by the Dole Pineapple Plantation. Along the way students were guided by the bus drivers and tour guides where they were given many facts about the sites. Earlier that morning the North Shore experienced record size waves.     Upon arrival at the PCC we broke into different groups where we received one on one instruction on Samoan Dances, Hawaiian Dances and Tonga Drumming. “I’ve never seen the students so excited.” After an Hour and a half of this once in a lifetime experience the students had a show and tell for each other. The auxiliary dancers also performed for the crowd later that afternoon. Many students and parents said this was among the best part of the trip. We were able to get this workshop in return for the New Years parade being canceled.  This portion was intiated by myself and the tour company. The city also compensated us later on with our very own New Years Dance and dinner. As far as I know we are the only group that has been able to do this early day work shop. Many thanks goes to Mr. Ope one of our tour company directors. He is also from Samoa and became a very close friend on our earlier familiarization trip.   After the awesome morning session the Thomson group was able to tour the Polynesian culture center and explore all of it’s beauty.  Some highlights were an IMAX theatre show about the reef, a canoe parade of all of the villages and tours of all of the Polynesian island villages. After a fun filled day we ate at the Gateway Restaurant and then attended a HORIZON’s Evening Show.   The show was the best on the island for seeing all the different dances and tribal sequences. The evening ended with the world famous Samoan Fire dancers . This dance is known as the most dangerous in the world. After the show we boarded the buses and headed back to hotel.   Day 4   Day 4 turned out to be the most rewarding activity day for most people. Day 4 was used for Climbing Diamond Head Crater, free family time and park time to watch the beautiful sunset. Many families used this time to do high cost activities that needed a whole days time. I climbed Diamond head with my mother and spent time at the beach with my family and student group.     Later that evening we walked to the park and had dinner while watching the sunset. After that we walked in groups back to the hotel and took in many sights and sounds of a city that never sleeps.   Day 5 - Pearl Harbor Day     Words can not describe this day. It was truly an experience that was as much rewarding as it was humbling. The students started out by leaving at 7:00 AM and arrived at Pearl harbor a while later. The students were the best behaved and worked better as a team than I have ever experienced. We started by taking pictues near the water and watching a film about the attack. The film was very emotional and left the room in complete silence. Next we boarded a boat and made our way to the memorial. The silence and sight was too much to bear. Watching the oil still rising as the flag flew at half mast was enough to get anyone. Then .........there were the names. The names of all the people that perished that day. Tears started flowing from the eyes of many while you could also fell the maturity level of the students take a step forward as we all grew up just a bit more. Four students layed the wreath while all gathered and cherished the moment. This was the very last wreath laying ceremony for the 65th anniversary of that tragic day. The Thomson Band had the honor of doing it. The four students were voted on by their peers for the presentation. They were Sarah Bass, Jacob Powers, Chauncey Kinlow and Steven Holbert. After the ceremony the memorial ranger made a comment over the loud speaker and broke the silence. He sadi " Thomson ....you are the best behaved and most respectful group we have had all year... You are welcome back anytime." To me that comment was most rewarding as it added to my already heavy emotions.     Next we hopped on a trolley and headed fot the USS Missouri. The students were gathered in one area while the adults boarded the gigantic ship. The sudents warmed up and prepared for the performance of a life time. This was the very last performance to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. As we performed my heart filled with pride. This was the second time I had performed in this spot but never did it feel like this. The students played 400% better than any rehearsal we have had. The emotion, mind set and experience made the performance a lifetime experience. One student was able to perform a solo during Amazing Grace. Timothy Pounds won the honors a few weeks earlier over what was considered our most competitive audition. He will be able to mark this accomplishment in his lifetime resume. The THS Band dedicated this performance to our hometown survivors Mr. Roger Reid and Ms. Nancy Freeman.     Next Event - The Dance Since the original parade that we had entered was cancelled by the city of Honolulu ( reconstruction from the earthquake) they decided to trade events. The parade committee bought us a dinner , Newyears eve party with DJ at Planet Hollywood in Waikiki. They rented out the entire top floor for us. Many special events were recognized that evening and the kids partied till about 2 AM. Special events included Mr. Dave Weimar's parents 50th Anniversary, Mr. Trent Henderson's Birthday, Tim Pound's Birthday and Becky and Jessie Morlan's 2nd Anniversary.       \