THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610060083
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DOUG BEIZER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 53 lines
The Old Boys marching band, from Virginia Beach's sister city in Moss, Norway, played through strong winds under overcast skies on the Boardwalk on Saturday morning to promote its message of unity and peace.
The band, dressed in blue blazers, white pants and white captains hats, marched to a loud drumbeat from 10th Street to the Norwegian Lady statue at 25th Street. Because of the high winds, a brief concert was moved from 25th Street to the 19th street Lutheran Church.
The Old Boys Band, along with the Rygge Vocalis women's choir and the Moss Girls Choir, traveled to Virginia Beach on an invitation from the Moss/Virginia Beach Sister City Association.
``Both groups decided to come to Virginia Beach to celebrate both Leif Ericson Day and the Nobel Peace Prize announcements, which always take place in Oslo, Norway,'' said Kaye Griggs, president of the association.
``The Moss/Virginia Beach Sister City Association and the Sons of Norway are behind this whole movement to perpetuate the culture of Norway and to bring its ideas of peace and freedom to this country at a time when it's most needed,'' Griggs said. Leif Ericson Day, on Wednesday, celebrates the Norse explorer who may have led the first European expedition to mainland North America.
Virginia Beach and Moss have had a relationship since around 1960, when a Virginia Beach group preserved wreckage of a Norwegian ship, the Dictator. As a thank you, Moss presented the city with the Norwegian Lady statue.
Leif Home, director of the Old Boys Band, chose Norwegian and American songs to reinforce the idea of unity.
Many passers-by stopped to watch the band and choirs.
Lars Fleisje said he wouldn't pass up an opportunity to spend time with people from his homeland.
``When you're abroad, I think you feel a bit more patriotic, even more than when you are at home,'' said Fleisje, a member of the Norwegian Navy working with NATO here.
Virginia Beach City Councilman Linwood Branch helped lead the parade up the boardwalk.
``We wanted to welcome our sister city from Moss and our friends from Norway to Virginia Beach,'' Branch said.
Today, the groups are expected to perform at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. On Tuesday, the groups are scheduled to play for the City Council at 2 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.
``This is a wonderful occasion,'' Griggs said, ``and we want them to always come back to Virginia Beach every year at this time.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
DOUG BEIZER
Virginia Beach City Councilman Linwood Branch, left, and Sons of
Norway President Bill Nelson. by CNB