leeds marching band — Leeds High School Marching Band will perform at Pearl Harbor next year. (Leeds High School Marching Band)

The Leeds High School Marching Band will perform at Pearl Harbor next Spring, representing Leeds High School, the Leeds community, and military veterans of Leeds. Keep reading to find out more.

Marching to Hawaii

leeds band — Leeds High School Marching Band has received hundreds of awards over the years. (Leeds High School Marching Band)

Chip Wise, the Leeds High School Band Director, composed an original piece titled “City of Valor” meant to honor the three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from the area during World War II and the Korean War.

Upon hearing about “City of Valor,” the Pearl Harbor National Memorial invited Wise and his marching band to perform the piece at Pearl Harbor on March 26, 2024.

“It’s my privilege to direct such a talented and hardworking group of young people. For us to be invited to represent the City of Leeds and State of Alabama–and to be able to do that at Pearl Harbor will be such a historic honor for our program.”
Chip Wise, Leeds High School Band Director

Honoring Leeds Military Veterans

Memorial Day 2021 Tour — Located in Leeds Memorial Park is a solemn Leeds Veterans Memorial. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Leeds is the only American city of its size with three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. “City of Valor” is meant to give thanks to them, as well as 200 other Leeds veterans who fought for our freedom. The three Medal of Honor recipients include these heroes:

SSGT Henry E. “Red” Erwin, a radio operator during WWII, received the Congressional Medal of Honor after being seriously burned aboard an aircraft when a bomb exploded prematurely mid-air.
First Lt. William R. Lawley, Jr. received the Congressional Medal of Honor by flying a heavily-damaged plane across Europe while under heavy fire, saving the lives of his crew during WWII.
PFC Alfred Alfred l. McLaughlin received the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Korean War by defending his outpost during a night attack.

The right band for the job

The Green Wave is excited to perform at Pearl Harbor in the Spring. Leeds High School Marching Band)

Since 1957, the Leeds High School Marching Band has received hundreds of awards. Within the last 10 years, notable awards include:

USBands Southern States Group 2A Champions
Hoover Invitational Class 2 & 3A Champions
Class 3A Champions at the Sparks in the Park at Spain Park High School
Bands of America Class A Regional runners up
Best in Class in their division for Band and for Drumline at Pinson Valley Band Competition

Helping Leeds High School Marching Band make the trip

Leeds High School Band Boosters are helping to make the trip to Pearl Harbor possible for all band members. The goal of raising $200,000 will leave each student with a $100 cost for the trip to Hawaii in the Spring.

Want to donate? Donations are accepted by mail at LHSBBO PO Box 1211 Leeds, AL, 35094.

For more information, email Band Booster President Laura Roberts at lhsbbo@gmail.com.

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