State Infantry Band Performing as Part of Riverbration

by Jonathan Weaver

Along with powerboat racers from across the tri-state region, the U.S Army 28th Infantry Division Band will also make their first appearance in a dozen years during Saturday’s Riverbration exercises.

Staff Sergeant Daniel Klingbeil (Kling-BILE) said the Hollidaysburg-based unit is excited to play along the Allegheny River in Kittanning Riverfront Park again for the first time since 2004 – under the leadership of now-retired Chief Warrant Officer Commander Jeff Jaworowski just after the park was renovated.

Staff Sergeant Klingbeil explained the unit’s more-than-60 year history.

“The band was first created in (1943) during World War II. Prior to that, divisions used to have what they called ‘regiment bands’ – each regiment of their own division would have their own band. At the time, the 28th Division had four regiments, so they had four bands (the 109th, 110th, 111th and 112th Infantry Regiment Bands),” Staff Sergeant Klingbeil said. “During World War II, they made the change that each division would only have one band – that’s when the 28th was created.”

Staff Sergeant Klingbeil continued that the 28th lost three musicians during World War II – including during the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ – and 22 were captured.

“When it came off active duty, it came back to Pennsylvania – was actually stationed in Altoona, right next to Hollidaysburg,” Staff Sergeant Klingbeil said. “Then, we moved to Hollidaysburg in 1980 because they closed down one of the armories and the band moved to the (Hollidaysburg) Veterans Home.”

The last time the entire band was deployed was during the Korean War in 1950, performing division band duties in Germany – but smaller companies of the 28th Infantry has been deployed.

According to the band’s website, the band has performed for both President Gerald Ford and President Ronald Reagan when both visited Pennsylvania and lead Philadelphia’s centennial celebration July 4, 1976, as well a few times in Europe.

Staff Sergeant Klingbeil, a native of Philadelphia, was a high school band director for 18 years at Juniata Valley High before his past eight years of full-time AGR (active guard reserve) duty at the Hollidaysburg armory, and said the bands 43 musicians hold many full-time careers - even though they have a six-year commitment to the infantry band.

“The nice thing about our group is we have a big diverse background from our (musicians) about what they do for a living,” Staff Sergeant Kleinbeil said. “We have carpenters, construction guys, truck drivers – a big gamut of civilian life, and what they then bring to our unit to help us accomplish our mission.”

For example, Warrant Officer Aaron S. Burkle (the band’s director) is a college professor in Cleveland, Ohio and Sergeant First Class Dave Miller (who will be in his final performance this coming weekend) is a postal carrier.

Because of his musical versatility, Staff Sergeant Klingbeil has played clarinet, trombone and trumpet, as well as conducted the band, since he joined in 1988 after serving three years with the U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Klingbeil achieved a master’s degree in conducting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The two-hour concert – entitled “The Movies” - will feature not only the full concert band playing tunes from Academy Award-winning films, but also the brass quintet, ceremonial band and pop ensemble.

The band (which practices once per month) does not regularly perform during the winter months – not only due to the winter weather, but also because it gives soldiers a time to catch up on military training classes.

“Some of our musicians have to constantly be reminded ‘Yes – you’re in the band, but you’re still a soldier.’ You still have to do the physical fitness stuff that goes with being in the Army,” Staff Sergeant Kleinbeil said. “We are still held to the same standard as everybody else.”

The 28th’s physical training test is Friday before the Kittanning performance.

Staff Sergeant Kleinbeil, who is also director of the Altoona Community Band, plans to stay with the 28th for eight more years until he has to retire at the age of 60.
Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber Vice-President of Events Lynda Pozzuto said no “arm-twisting” was needed to bring the band back to the county seat.

“As soon as I mentioned Kittanning, the amphitheater and Riverfront Park, (band leaders) said ‘Oh, we remember that place – we’d love to come back there!’”

The August 20th concert (which starts at 7PM) will involve some regional military personnel – including from Freeport (Sergeant Benjamin Morrison, a saxophonist from Freeport), Staff Sergeant Jennifer Blakeflee (a saxophonist from Butler) and Specialist Jonathan Clark (a percussionist from Butler).

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