43rd Army Band here Wednesday

McCOOK, Neb. The Nebraska National Guard's 43rd Army Band will perform in Norris Park on Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend and citizens are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and bug spray.

As the only musical unit of the Nebraska National Guard, the 43rd Army Band represents the National Guard at a variety of civilian and official military functions throughout the State of Nebraska. The band performs at parades, concerts, dances and receptions for military dignitaries. The band is comprised of "citizen-soldier" musicians from Lincoln and the surrounding area.

Many of the members are students, music teachers, or otherwise associated with the music field in their civilian pursuits.

This group meets one weekend a month and 15 days during the summer to rehearse and fulfill military training requirements. During annual training the 43rd Army Band either replaces a full-time Army band on an active Army installation or supports local communities and recruiters.

The band performs in North Platte on Monday, Gothenburg on Tuesday, McCook on Wednesday and Aurora on Friday. Other performances for the summer tour will be held in Central City, Seward, Ralston, Springfield, Valparaiso, and Fremont.