St. Francis Xavier Parish is pleased to once again host the Medina community’s tribute to veterans with the annual Veterans Day Concert on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

The 7 p.m. concert, “Our Heroes, Our Community,” in the church will feature the Medina Community Band under the baton of Marcus Neiman and Frank Cosenza, with several guest speakers that will include some of our parishioners. Father Tony Sejba, our pastor, will offer opening and closing prayers.

Admission is free, although nonperishable items will be gratefully accepted to stock the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s food pantry.

Medina Community Band will perform works by American composers including: Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody; Taylor’s march All America; Louis Panella’s march American Red Cross; Kamen’s symphonic suite from the movie Band of Brothers; Sousa’s march Man Behind the Gun; Hall’s march Tenth Regiment (Death or Glory); Sousa’s march The Stars and Stripes Forever; and an Armed Forces salute recognizing those who have served and are serving our country in the military service.

For a complete listing of all selections, please visit the community band’s website at http://www.medinacommunityband.org/.

Featured speakers will be: Brian Cavanaugh, paramedic, Medina (veteran – United States Navy); Dennis Hanwell, mayor, City of Medina; Tom Miller, sheriff, Medina County (veteran – United States Navy); Marcus Neiman, conductor, Medina Community Band; Father Anthony Sejba, St. Francis Xavier Church; and Lou Tagliaferro, Medina resident (veteran – United States Marine Corps).

Organizers will have boxes available for those interested in making a donation to collect nonperishable canned goods or monetary donations to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Additional parking is available at 600 E. Smith Road and 620 E. Smith Road.

The committee organizing the event include: Dennis Hanwell, mayor, City of Medina; Marcus Neiman, conductor, Medina Community Band; Father Anthony Sejba, pastor, St. Francis Xavier Church; and Ed Zackery, Medina County Veterans Service.

Membership in Medina Community Band is open and there are no dues or auditions; however, members are expected to maintain a regular attendance.  The band rehearses on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 pm in the band room of Highland High School (4150 Ridge Road, Medina); and provides three to four concerts during the fall, winter, and spring months both at home and on the road.  The band also presents their popular summer series every Friday, June through July, in Medina’s Uptown Park gazebo.