Three Westfield natives were killed in the attack on the Twin Towers.
Members of the Westfield High School band marches in the St. Patrick's Parade in Holyoke in March.WESTFIELD - There will be student standouts, a few small concerts but Westfield High School band members are hoping the community will step up and finance a trip to New York City in November so they can help pay tribute to veterans and those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack.
“If everyone donated just $1, the trip will be paid for,” Band Director Patrick T. Kennedy said. “We just hope people will come forward and support us,” he said.
The 140-member band plans to participate in NYC’s Nov. 10 tribute marking the 10th anniversary of 9/11. An estimated 24 high school bands from across the country are expected to perform in Times Square, Kennedy said.
The estimated cost of the trip is $25,000 to $30,000, he said. “We are one-fourth of the way there now,” he explained.
The plan is to perform in NYC and then return that night, allowing the band to march and play in the Westfield’s annual Veterans Day observance on Nov. 11 here.
“We would not want to miss our own observance,” the director said.
Kennedy and band members Cassie J. Hawk and Michael D. Schneider, both juniors, announced interest in the New York City observance entitled “Band of Pride Tribute”. Tribute coordinator Melinda A. Marinoff told the Republican at the time, “I would love to have Westfield perform.”
Hawk and Schneider said Westfield’s presence would be important because of a direct connection between Westfield and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Three Westfield natives were killed in the attack. There were Tara Creamer, 30, who was aboard American Airlines Flight 11, the first to fly into the twin towers. She was the daughter of retired school superintendent James F. Shea. Also, Daniel P. Trant, 40, and Brian J. Murphy, 41, both of whom worked for firm of Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center. Trant was a star athlete at Westfield High in the 1970s.
“The trip will allow the band to represent Westfield in remembering those who died that day,” Kennedy said.
“It will also serve as a good educational day for our students. They will be part of history,” he said.
Kennedy said fund raising for the event is difficult because of other efforts to raise funds for various trips and competition involving the band throughout the school year.
The band, under Kennedy’s direction has traveled in recent years to Cleveland, Washington D.C., Virginia Beach and New York City for spring competitions.
Donations can be mailed to Westfield High School Band, 177 Montgomery Rd., Westfield, Ma. 01085.