The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi has received an invitation to perform at the American GI Forum National Convention in Las Vegas, the group announced Thursday.
Musical Director Ram Chavez said the all-veteran ensemble will perform at three major events during the convention — the opening ceremony, the commanders’ luncheon and the military luncheon.
“We’re going to be playing three major events,” Chavez said. “One is the opening ceremony, which involves the first meeting for the national convention. Then we’ll be doing the commander’s luncheon, and then we’ll be doing the military luncheon as well.”
Chavez said the invitation also serves as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who founded the American GI Forum in Corpus Christi in 1948.
“It’s a great honor,” Chavez said. “The last time we did something like that was 2016 — so that was 10 years ago. That tells you we don’t drain the community. I think that’s why they help us, because they support us all the time.”
The band is now seeking donations to cover travel expenses for the trip, including airfare, hotel stays and meals as they represent the Coastal Bend at the national event.
“We’re going to raise funds for the hotel, the flight and some of the meals that will be provided for us when we’re not performing,” Chavez said.
The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi is a nonprofit organization. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 8606, Corpus Christi, TX 78412.