LIMA, Peru –
The West Virginia National Guard’s (WVNG) 249th Mountaineer Rock Band celebrated the Fourth of July in Peru on a week-long public diplomacy engagement tour in Lima and Piura consisting of concerts and talks with youth and the general public, as well as several high-level celebrations.
The 249th Band joined the Peruvian Armed Forces (PAF) “Mariscal Nieto” Cavalry Regiment to participate in the changing of the guard at Peru’s Presidential Palace on July 3, 2018, as the first foreign band to take part in the ceremonial event. The same day, the band showcased their talents at the official Independence Day celebration at the United States Department of State Chief of Mission Residence in Lima. The tour was also a celebration of the 21-year relationship between the WVNG and PAF through the State Partnership Program (SPP).
U.S. Army Capt. Joshua Goforth, WVNG SPP director underscored the importance of the partnership between Peru and West Virginia stating, “The West Virginia National Guard’s 249th Army Band had the amazing opportunity of performing in Peru. From the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) in Lima to schools across the country, the band highlighted their skillset in front of hundreds from our partner nation. Our longstanding relationship with Peru continues to grow and we look forward to what the future holds.”
“It was amazing to be a part of all the accomplishments members of the 249th Army Band achieved supporting the SPP,” said band director Warrant Officer 1 Jeremiah Bennett. “The opportunity to do events ranging from working with English classes studying the United States to performing for students who have never interacted with Americans was truly amazing. Witnessing the exchanges on this trip in my mind brings home the importance and value of our partnership with Peru.”
On July 4, the band gave a concert and talk at the Colegio 3061 Jorge Chávez Dartnell in Comas, a working-class area of Lima and participated in activities organized with the Piura Binational Center in Talara, Sullana, and Piura.
"Most of all I enjoyed connecting with the people of Piura, Sullana and Talara, both socially and musically,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Goff. “Their excitement when we played some of their favorite American pop songs made the mission especially memorable."
On July 6, the band performed a concert at the Plaza de Armas of Piura to celebrate the independence of Peru and the United States. On July 7, they also performed at a concert at the Municipal Colosseum of Algarrobos, with the participation of school bands, organized by the Peruvian Police Commissioner of Los Algarrobos-Piura. This final event grew out of the participation of Police Officer Milagros Celi Palachios in a recent cultural heritage training for law enforcement, during which she mentioned her programs for at-risk youth.
“We are so glad to have such a wonderful partnership with such a beautiful country in Peru,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Baret. “During our missions, we are able to bring both our U.S. presence to the people of Peru as well as uplifting the communities with entertainment and positivity throughout the country. We feel proud to help the citizens of Peru in every aspect that we can.”
Sgt. Joshua Sharp, who has traveled to Peru with the band before, said that this second round was as enjoyable as the first.
“(This) has been an overwhelming experience of fun and has opened my eyes to more incredible parts of this amazing country and its people,” he said.
The WVNG and Peruvian Armed Forces have been linked together through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program since 1996 and have held more than 120 exchanges with one another, including this recent exchange with the 249th Army Band, since the establishment of the partnership.