Presidential Parade

Here is an article that featured Zach and his Grandpa Smith in the Hattiesburg American.

Presidential Parades are One Family's Tradition
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081225/NEWS01/812250335

PETAL - Zachary Hales plays trumpet in the Petal High School marching band not just because he enjoys music, but because music is a tradition in his family.

It's a tradition that includes a grandfather who student directed for the Brigham Young University marching band. That band marched down Pennsylvania Avenue for President Richard Nixon's second inaugural parade in 1973.

Now, Zachary will carry the torch back to Washington for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in January. Brent Hales, Zach's father, said the news of Petal's selection to play in the inauguration parade meant a lot to their family. "We're absolutely thrilled - this is a once in a lifetime opportunity but also a family legacy that will be there forever," he said.

Fred Smith, Zach's grandfather, said that although the band knew Nixon was not the most popular president, the prestige of the event still hit home. "We were aware of some of the anti-Nixon protests, but it was such an honor to represent the state of Utah," he said. "It doesn't matter who is in that room, there is something special about playing for the president of the United States." Smith said the band faced a little adversity during the Nixon inauguration.
"After the parade, we were sent down a side street and that's where all the protesters were sent, and there were anti-Nixon protesters who began to yell at us, which was very interesting in itself," he said.

Zach Hales said he is still stunned by the band's selection to play in the parade.
"Being a part of it is a huge honor and you really have to grasp it and when you do you realize that you're going to be a part of history, and it puts me in awe," he said.

Smith said he gave his grandson the advice to take in every aspect of the trip.
"I know this experience Zach will never forget. There's no way to describe it until you experience it, playing for the president of the United States right in front of him ... it's the office you're playing for, not the man," he said.

The band has to raise $75,000 to make the trip and is far from its goal. So far, the Petal band has raised at least $3,360, according to band booster Cissy Robertson, who is leading the charge in getting donations.

She said checks and online donations made through the school district's Web site have not yet been added to the total.

http://www.petalschools.com/petal/site/default.asp

She said band boosters are working with state officials to get the word out about their fundraising. Petal was the only band in the state that was selected to play in the parade.