Lower Pottsgrove Enjoys the 78th Army Band

SANATOGA PA – When the U.S. Army Reserve’s 78th Army Band arrives Wednesday (July 11, 2012) for its second annual performance beneath the band shell at Sanatoga Park on South Sanatoga Road, it may look and sound like the same unit of talented musicians who played here last year. For the most part, it is. And yet, it isn’t.

The band earlier this year said farewell to a long-time leader, First Sergeant Tim Pawlik, who in February retired after 27 years of service in the National Guard and Army Reserve, including time as acting commander of the 307th and 78th Army Bands. Pawlik received a Meritorious Service Medal, as well as certificates of appreciation signed by President Barack Obama and the chief of the Army Reserve.

Now SFC Trevor Sanders has stepped in as Pawlik’s successor for the band, based at Fort Dix NJ. He and its commander, Warrant Officer Eric Flowers, are set to ensure Lower Pottsgrove residents and their guests have an enjoyable time during the third of eight shows scheduled for the township’s summer concert series.

Lower Pottsgrove’s introduction to the 78th Army Band last year was an overwhelming success, with hundreds of township residents and others from Pottstown, Limerick and New Hanover in attendance. Band members remember that welcome, too; they’ve been trumpeting their return here on social media platforms for several days.