Iowa State Marching Band In France For D-Day Anniversary

Late last week, 168 musicians in the Iowa State marching band packed up their instruments and equipment and headed to France. They had been invited by the U.S. government to take part in ceremonies honoring the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day invasion during World War Two.

The band landed in France early Friday morning and played at a series of performances this weekend. They are scheduled to play at memorial services at Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach and the Brittany American Cemetery. The band will also play near the Eifel Tower on June 9th before returning to Iowa.

On June 6th, 1944 over 150,000 American, British, and Canadian forces stormed the 50 miles stretch of beaches in France. It was a significant battle that helped lead to Germany's defeat.

[via Des Moines Register]