The Arts Council of Moore County and Pinehurst Parks & Recreation Department, in conjunction with the Holly Arts & Crafts Festival, will present a "Military Family Appreciation Day" event featuring Col. Thomas H. Palmatier leading the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus in concert Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Village Arboretum, 395 Magnolia Road, Pinehurst.

Family-friendly activities will be offered beginning at 2:30 p.m. with free popcorn, free kids' rides, free face painting, and a coloring station for children to draw a picture that will be sent to our troops overseas.

"Food and beverages will also be available for purchase, but you may bring your own picnic," says a spokesman.

The concert will begin at 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the concert will be presented at Pinecrest High School's R.E. Lee Auditorium. Tickets are required for the rain site only.

To receive free rain site tickets, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ACMC, Army Band Tickets, P.O. Box 405, Southern Pines, NC 28388, or pick up your tickets at Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines.

"Please limit your request to four tickets," says the spokesman.

The U.S. Army Field Band is considered to be one of the most versatile and inspiring musical organizations in the world. Its members, selected by highly competitive auditions, represent some of the finest musical talent in America. More than six decades as the military's most traveled musicians have earned them the title "The Musical Ambassadors of the Army."

Palmatier was appointed commander and conductor of the U.S. Army Field Band of Washington, D.C., in 2007. Prior to this he served as commandant of the U.S. Army School of Music, responsible for the training of Army band soldiers, noncommissioned officers, warrant officers and commissioned officers for the Army's 106 bands worldwide.

Previous assignments include commander of the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus, executive officer to the Adjutant General of the Army, and the Department of the Army Staff Bands officer. Earlier assignments included command and staff positions in Army bands around the world, and he supervised musical support for the presidential inaugural celebrations in 1980, 1992 and 2001.

Palmatier earned a bachelor's degree in music, magna cum laude, in applied music from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, N.Y., and a master's of fine arts degree in music from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. He also earned a master's of strategic studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.

Palmatier has received numerous military honors, including two awards of the Legion of Merit and seven awards of the Meritorious Service Medal. He was the first Army band officer to earn both the Parachutist and Air Assault Badges. He also earned a combat patch for service in El Salvador.

The concert is sponsored by the Arts Council of Moore County, Dogwood Printing, Moore County Concert Band, Pinecrest High School, The Pilot, Pinehurst Business Guild, Pinehurst Parks & Recreation Department, STAR 102.5FM and WIOZ 550AM.

For additional information, contact the Arts Council at (910) 692-2787 or visit www.mooreart.org.