PITTSBURGH -- Navy Band Northeast musicians marched with more than 200 other performing units on March 16 in this city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Musician 2nd Class Leeland Rothrock, Navy Band Northeast’s drum major, led 22 sailors along a 2-mile parade route through the heart of the former industrial capital of the United States.
Fans showed enthusiasm for Navy Band Northeast, as an estimated 25,000 spectators lined the streets. The crowd cheered in response to the band’s approach as “Anchors Aweigh” echoed off the city’s skyscrapers.
The next day, the U.S. Navy band performed the national anthem before more than 20,000 Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers hockey fans at PPG Paints Arena.
“We hope that we brought awareness and appreciation for the men and women serving around the world in uniform,” said band director Lt. Joel Borrelli.
“Through these unique public performance opportunities, Navy Band Northeast continues to represent U.S. Naval War College and Naval Station Newport, bringing the face of the Navy to areas otherwise isolated from a naval presence.”