USD-C’s 25th ID band features rock ‘n’ roll

BAGHDAD—Air guitar, headbanging and loud rock music reverberated through the crowd at the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation center Christmas evening at Camp Liberty, Iraq as the 25th Infantry Division band entertained United States Division – Center Soldiers.

The six-member band “Show of Force”, all wearing Santa Claus hats, kept the Soldiers smiling, and cheering while high-fiving the crowd and handing out candy as they sang and played.

“I think the interaction the band had with the crowd (was the best part),” said Lt. Col. Paul Romagnoli, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 25th Inf. Div., United States Division – Center and a Fresno, Calif., native. “Every person was there to be part (of the entertainment).”

Romagnoli said the band did an outstanding job and always draws a crowd. People come in from everywhere once they hear the music playing, and the band always puts on a great performance.

“The band has a very unique mission,” he said. “Not only do they play patriotic music, but they really do help with morale.  Playing music that someone is familiar with … it really gives them a sense of being home, that little connection that they wouldn’t normally get in Iraq.   It also helps to break up the day and it gives them something to look forward to.”

The music and high energy was maintained as band members kept an upbeat tempo throughout the concert all.

“(Performing at a high energy level) is all part of the show,” said Sgt. Jared Bree, band operations noncommissioned officer and keyboardist with the division rock band, and a Crescent City, Calif., native. “Even when we are standing in the back, you still need to put yourself into the music, but not over the top so that you are drawing attention away from the singer but still getting into and increasing the level of enjoyment for the crowd.”

Bree said it’s nice to have people clap and smile, which makes him feel good about his job, and that he is doing good things for the Army.

Bree said even though he cannot be home for Christmas, performing for the troops helps replace the time away from loved ones.

“It helps to make up for (not being home for Christmas),” he said. “Coming here and doing my job … helps me have a great Christmas. I look forward to a year over here, doing a good job.”

Photos Series:

Photo #1:  Sgt. Brendan Owen (from left), lead guitarist with the division band, 25th Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and a Tulsa, Okla., native; Staff Sgt. Kristopher Boltinghouse, rhythm guitarist and a Hannibal, Mo., native; Staff Sgt. Christopher Stone, lead singer and a Salem, Ohio, native; and Spc. Jonathan Crane, bass player and a Hartford, Conn., native, entertain troops with their finale Dec. 25 during a holiday concert at Camp Liberty, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Daniel Eddy, 196th MPAD, 25th Inf. Div., USD-C)

Photo #2:  Lt. Col. Paul Romagnoli, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 25th Infantry Division and a Fresno, Calif., native, sings along Dec. 25 while the division rock band put on a special holiday special concert at Camp Liberty, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Daniel Eddy, 196th MPAD, 25th Inf. Div., USD-C)

Photo #3:  Sgt. Jared Bree (left), band operations noncommissioned officer with the division band, 25th Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and a Crescent City, Calif., native, plays air guitar with the microphone stand Dec. 25 while entertaining troops during a holiday concert at Camp Liberty, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Daniel Eddy, 196th MPAD, 25th Inf. Div., USD-C)

Photo #4:  Spc. Jonathan Crane, a bass player with the division rock band, “Show of Force”, 25th Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and Hartford, Conn., native, plays the bass Dec. 25 during a holiday rock concert at Camp Liberty, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Daniel Eddy, 196th MPAD, 25th Inf. Div., USD-C)

Photo #5:  Staff Sgt. Christopher Stone, lead singer for the division rock band, “Show of Force”, with the 25th Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and a Salem, Ohio, native, has the crowd participate in a song Dec. 25 while performing a holiday concert at Camp Liberty, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Daniel Eddy, 196th MPAD, 25th Inf. Div., USD-C)