WWII veteran receives dying wish for 43rd Army Band to play at his funeral
A World War II veteran who grew up in Lincoln received his dying wish to have the Nebraska National Guard’s 43rd Army Band, a group he once led, play at his funeral. World War II veteran Bill Splichal, who grew up in Lincoln, received his dying wish to have the Nebraska National Guard's 43rd Army Band perform at his funeral. Splichall was the first leader of the 43rd army Band for 27 years and currently has 37 members. The band was established in 1948 and performs ceremonial events around the state and country. Splachal served in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the bloodiest battles in World War II history. After the war, he studied music and taught it in local schools. At 99-years-old, he had another chance to lead the 43th Army Band in Omaha.
Pubblicato : 11 mesi fa di Grace McDonald in
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - A World War II veteran who grew up in Lincoln received his dying wish to have the Nebraska National Guard’s 43rd Army Band play at his funeral.
Bill Splichal was the first leader of the 43rd Army Band for 27 years. It was established in 1948 and currently has 37 members who perform around the state and country.
“We do a lot of ceremonial things to celebrate different parts of Nebraska and its history as well as the Army and the National Guard here,” Paul Kenney, 43rd Army bandmaster and commander, said. “We put on live performances for entertaining purposes as well.”
To be a member, you have to be an excellent musician and a dedicated citizen and soldier.
Splichal was drafted into the U.S. Army at 18-years-old and was later selected for the 78th Infantry Division Band.
His musical talent began in his family’s bohemian band in Lincoln with his cousins, brothers, uncle and father from the time that he was 12-years-old.
Splichal would eventually have to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, known as one of the bloodiest battles in World War II history.
After the war, he studied music and taught it in local schools.
At 99-years-old, he got one more chance to lead the 43rd Army Band in Omaha.
“He didn’t look like a 99-year-old man up there. He looked like a spry young guy conducting probably his favorite group of musicians,” Kylie Felicich, Splichal’s niece, said.
At Splichal’s funeral, the honor guard, bugler, brass quintet and members of the band paid their respects at Wyuka Funeral Home and Cemetery.
“It feels amazing to see the lineage and the history that went into this unit and to get to celebrate one of the lives that helped build this unit,” Kenney said.
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