ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Parris Island Marine Band rocked local Floridians and tourists Sept. 8 and 9 while performing at Busch Gardens and Sea World in Orlando.
"This is the first time we've been able to target specific venues,"Flores said. "It was a great way to get maximum exposure for the Marine Corps and the Parris Island Band."
The Band's weekend performances stopped many spectators who were visiting the parks.
More than 1,000 people listened to the performances, including former servicemembers and World War II veterans.
The scenery also played a role in the band's performance.
"The international venues provided an outstanding backdrop for our patriotic performances,"Flores said.
However, even Flores could not anticipate one of the responses from their performances.
For their final song at Busch Gardens, the band performed Thomas Knox's"Armed Forces Medley," which contains each services' hymn. At the end of the song, when the band played the "Marines Hymn," the silence was shattered by howling screams as the Parris Island Color Guard charged the stage in WWII uniforms for the re-enactment of the flag raising at Iwo Jima.
The sight and the music were touching, especially to those who served during the war.
One gentleman, Randy Fortinier, jumped from his seat upon seeing the color guard.
"It brought back memories,"he said. "I thought I was there. I will never forget what happened."
Sea World's performance also had some of the younger audience members jumping from their seats.
Alex Johnson, an upcoming musician from Melbourne, Fla., was invited onto the stage to direct the band.
Johnson was given basic instructions from Flores and then put right to work.
The band's short-term director was quick to share his experience.
"I thought it was great,"Johnson said. "I was nervous at first, but I enjoyed it."
Johnson said he doesn't plan on joining the Marines, but does plan on sharing his encounter with them.
"Now I can go back to my grandpa and grandma and tell them I conducted the band,"Johnson explained enthusiastically. "I love it."
This interaction is exactly what the band was looking for.
"The good thing about all of this is it is going to lead to future performances,"Flores explained. "It has already provided strong ties with the Orlando area."
As the band packed up for the weekend, one event stood out in the minds of many of them ... the WWII veteran.
"The World War II veteran was so emotional he had to leave,"Flores explained. "That was memorable."
Touching the lives of thousands, bringing back memories of those who have served and inspiring the next generation to take a stand are all results of the band rocking out in Florida.