Senior Micah Salazar has a strong passion for music and can play multiple instruments such as the saxophone (alto, tenor, and baritone), trumpet, a few different types of xylophones, drums, and he is currently self-teaching himself how to play piano. However, his passion for history also has a very large effect on him.
This summer, Salazar had the honor to participate in the 80th Anniversary D-Day Band as a trumpet player, allowing him to travel to historic monuments while also giving him the chance to perform and do what he loves.
“It was such an honor. Coming from a heavy military family, this means so much to me,” Salazar stated. “Seeing those historic locations on television and other media outlets doesn’t remotely compare to how it truly is in person. As my first time in Europe, the massive cultural shift was an amazing learning experience. I felt honored and proud to be able to visit locations like Omaha Beach and Sainte Mére-Église.”
Learning about the history of D-Day in just an average history class is much different than actually getting the chance to experience it.
“It brought an entirely new perspective on history. You see the pictures and learn about it in the books but being there on the beach exactly 80 years later after D-Day is such a strange, rewarding, and solemn experience,” Salazar said. “Learning about more than just Omaha Beach, like the others such as Sword, Utah, and Juneau makes a history fan like me so happy.”
There were some unexpected and surprising moments during Salazar’s time in these cities that he didn’t see coming.
“The desserts and sweets in Paris were incredible! And everyone walks there because the traffic is so bad. I don’t know how those drivers do it over there,” Salazar stated. “Another thing is how big the tourist areas are. They are always so far from each other, but there are so many little shops and places to visit that the distance from each place doesn’t feel too long. As for D.C., it was awesome seeing the monuments; I’ve always wanted to travel to D.C. so I was very excited. I even got the chance to see the Declaration of Independence, it was incredible.”
Among D.C. and Paris, Salazar was also able to visit Normandy, France, the city where the D-Day landing occurred.
“I was able to visit and pay my respects to the fallen soldiers both named and unnamed is probably one of the highlights of my entire life, and I’m only 17. We stopped by a church while in Normandy where the Allies took a village back from the Nazis and the church was perfectly preserved, with real bullets and everything. You could see a confessional chamber where a Nazi was hiding and you could see all the bullet holes,” Salazar mentioned. “Sainte Mére-Énglise is entirely authentic, due to it being the first place taken back by the Allies and there are small locations everywhere in history. On Omaha Beach, however, there were so many feelings that I will never be able to describe. You could feel the waves on your feet, it was so calm and peaceful. Yet you know that 80 years ago it was the final resting place of countless soldiers fighting for their country. So much remembrance, honor, sadness, pride, and serenity on the beach that day for me.”
As a musician and a historical lover, playing in these historical places gave Salazar so much more to live for.
“I think music is the universal language and can tell an infinite amount of stories. Some of these fallen soldiers have their names, lives, and stories forgotten, but music can help those forgotten by still honoring them. I believe music like that will never truly go to waste. For instance, look at Glen Miller. Incredible musician with timeless pieces being played to this day. He died in 1944 during World War II, but his story and songs live on. Not everyone in history is true, just as not everything true is written in history, but I can say music will always be a significant part of remembering D-Day.”
