Musicians from diverse backgrounds perform and honor veterans, military families and first responders as part of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band.

The nonprofit group performs at official military ceremonies, veteran functions and nonpolitical civic events in appreciation to all veterans.

It is the second auxiliary band in the country, the first being in New York.

Your Name: Al Yarusso, flotilla staff officer — public affairs

Business Name: United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band

Town/Neighborhood: Rehearse 7-9 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 322 N. Horne in Mesa.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band background highlights: We perform at official military ceremonies, veteran functions and nonpolitical civic events in appreciation to all veterans. We are a nonprofit organization that consists of musicians from many diverse backgrounds who enjoy performing and honoring our great veterans, military families and first responders.

Some additional information on the band can be found at: US Coast Guard Auxiliary Band Arizona | Facebook, @uscgaaz.

Professional U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band highlights: Fox 10 Phoenix Arizona Morning segment; Arizona Celebration of Freedom, Mesa; Performance at the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center and the Battleship Missouri – Hawaii; USS Midway Museum Concert annually on Memorial Day - San Diego, California; commissioning ceremonies in San Pedro, California: USCG Cutter Forest Rednour and USCG Cutter Terrell Horne; Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Parade; Awarded “Best Musical Group” at the East Valley Veterans Day Parade; Arizona Military Vehicle Show, Tempe; Copper State Fly-In/Open House, Falcon Field Airport in Mesa; 9-11 Healing Fields Dedication in Tempe (every year); Arizona USO Volunteers Annual Awards, Phoenix; performed at the ceremony naming San Diego, California, an “Official Coast Guard City” attended by many officials and dignitaries; National U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Convention in Phoenix; VA Nursing Home and various senior centers honoring our veterans; performed at the Division 10 Combined Change of Watch; and NFL Salutes Veterans at the Odysea Aquarium in Scottsdale.

For more info: contact us at: arizonabandflotilla@gmail.com.

What we like most about performing here in Arizona: Honoring our great local veterans, military families and first responders.

Changes I’d like to see in this area: More exposure to our veterans and increase patriotism in our city, state and country through our music.

What am I promoting: Booking and joining your U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band!

What I’m excited about and why: Great opportunity to reach out to our community through the various Independent publications about our U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band.

Favorite community cause and why: Performing and honoring our great local veterans, military families and first responders.

When and why I started my business/employment here: We are only the second auxiliary band in the country, the first being in New York. Chartered in January 2015.

My advice to today’s youth: Be proud and respectful for your country and all of those who served in the military to defend and preserve our many freedoms that we all tend to take for granted, Also, join your U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band.

Contact Info: Al Yarusso, flotilla staff officer — public affairs, diversity and events coordinator; USCG Auxiliary Arizona Band - Flotilla 3, Division 10, District 11SR; cell phone: 602-882-8464; E-mail: alyarusso@cox.net.