147th Army Band participates in partner state celebration

PARAMARIBO, Suriname — Members of South Dakota Army National Guard’s 147th Army Band traveled to South America to participate in a musical performance event series with its state partnership country of Suriname, in late November.
About 35 members of the 147th conducted professional development training with the Suriname Army Band and played at a variety of events in support of community and public outreach objectives.
The musical events culminated with both groups marching together during Suriname’s National Day Parade.
The overall goal of the event was to further enhance the Suriname and SDNG partnership in support of U.S. Southern Command cooperation objectives.
The band traveled from their home station of Mitchell to Sioux Falls to meet a West Virginia Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft for the trip to Paramaribo.
Upon arrival, the 147th and the Suriname Army Band practiced together for four days prior to the National Day Parade.
The practices included learning new music, integrating the two bands into one and marching. The Soldiers of the 147th learned to play Surinamese music, as well as marching style and commands in a few short days.

Suriname has, in recent years, moved the parade from the capital of Paramaribo to other communities to allow more people to attend. This year, the parade was held in Saramacca, a district west of the capital.
The entire parade route was lined with onlookers, vendors and media.
“It was amazing to see how many people came (to the parade),” said Spc. Brooke Bigge, member of the 147th.
The President of Suriname, Desiré Bouterse, attended the National Day Parade, as well as senior leaders of the Suriname Defense Force, and dignitaries from Brazil, Guiana, French Guiana and the South Dakota National Guard. Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, SDNG adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Russ Walz, assistant adjutant general for South Dakota’s Air National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. James Hoekman were among the dignitaries viewing from the grandstand.
Members of the 147th also performed at multiple venues outside of the parade. Music performance teams performed at the United States Embassy, a local shopping mall, two children’s homes, and several other locations. These performances were the highlight of the trip for many members of the band.
“Watching the kids sing along, and get up and dance was heartwarming,” said 1st Sgt. Kristin Sokup, 147th senior noncommissioned officer. “They knew most of the (popular) songs we played, despite the songs being American.”
Other members of the band had similar experiences.
“Whether it was us, the 147th playing, or the Suriname band, those concerts were really impressive,” said Spc. Jordan Hoffman.
Crowds were very receptive to the bands, as were the local musicians.
Local musicians frequently joined in playing with members of the band.
“Playing with the Surinamese musicians was a lot of fun,” said Spc. Craig Kolasch, with the 147th. “We were able to jam with them - they do a lot of freestyling.”
“Overall, it was a very worthwhile trip,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Terry Beckler, 147th commander. “An annual training like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”