Army
PHOTO GALLERYNinth Army Band celebrates Alaska Day in Sitka
Stars and Stripes
October 21, 2014
Ninth Army Band Commander Warrant Officer Michael Krzmarzick salutes the audience during a compilation of military service songs Oct. 16 at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka, Alaska. The concert is one of several events at which the Fort Wainwright Soldiers perform throughout the city’s annual Alaska Day Festival celebration. (Mary M. Rall/U.S. Army)
Ninth Army Band Commander Warrant Officer Michael Krzmarzick salutes the audience during a compilation of military service songs Oct. 16 at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka, Alaska. The concert is one of several events at which the Fort Wainwright Soldiers perform throughout the city’s annual Alaska Day Festival celebration. (Mary M. Rall/U.S. Army)
Ninth Army Band member Sgt. Thomas Borgerding of Fort Wainwright sings “America the Beautiful” Oct. 16 at a community concert at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka, Alaska, in support of the city’s annual Alaska Day Festival. The festival is celebrated annually to commemorate the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States in 1867. (Mary M. Rall/U.S. Army)
Staff Sgt. Greg Lamecker, Spc. Nick Marcum and Sgt. Tony Russ with Fort Wainwright’s 9th Army Band help bring the final number of a community concert to a crescendo Oct. 16 at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka, Alaska. Residents from throughout the city turned out for the concert, which is one of many free community events featured during the city’s annual Alaska Day Festival. (Mary M. Rall/U.S. Army)
Ninth Army Band Commander Warrant Officer Michael Krzmarzick performs “Rock this Town” Oct. 16 at a community concert at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka, Alaska. The festival is celebrated annually to commemorate the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States in 1867. (Mary M. Rall/U.S. Army)
An American flag decorates the headstone of an unknown soldier in the Sitka National Cemetery for Alaska Day ceremonies Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
American flags decorate headstones in the Sitka National Cemetery for Alaska Day ceremonies Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
Paratroops from the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment post the colors at the Sitka National Cemetery for Alaska Day ceremonies Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
A salute detail from the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment awaits their orders at the Sitka National Cemetery for Alaska Day ceremonies Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
Flanked by World War II anti-aircraft artillery guns, Chaplain (Col.) James Brisson Jr., U.S. Army Alaska command chaplain, delivers remarks at the Sitka National Cemetery for Alaska Day ceremonies Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
Paratroops from the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment post the colors as the 9th Army Band plays "Alaska's Flag," the state song, atop Castle Hill in Sitka for Alaska Day ceremonies Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original 1867 transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
The U.S. Army Alaska Ninth Army Band leads the Alaska Day parade through Sitka, Alaska, Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
Sitkans in period dress entertained the crowds lining the streets for the Alaska Day parade through Sitka, Alaska, Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original 1867 transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
The U.S. Army Alaska Ninth Army Band leads the Alaska Day parade through Sitka, Alaska, Saturday, Oct. 18. Alaska Day is celebrated as a state holiday, but no other city celebrates quite like Sitka, home of the original transfer ceremony which brought the Alaska Territory from Tsarist Russian to American control. Soldiers from the 9th U.S. Infantry were integral in the original ceremony, beginning a long, lasting relationship between the Army and Alaskans. (John Pennell/U.S. Army)
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Tsar Alexander II of Russia for a little more than $7 million, or two-cents an acre.
Shortly after that, the U.S. Army sent the Ninth Infantry to modern day Sitka, Alaska, then known as New Archangel, where the Russians goverened the territory. When the soldiers arrived, they hoisted the US flag over Castle Hill as the Russians took theirs down. This officially transferred power from Russia to the United States.
Since that day the Army has played a key role in Alaska’s development. As in years past, this year on the 65th official Alaska Day ceremony in Sitka, the Army once again returned to help re-enact the historic transfer ceremony and bask in the friendship of the local population.