Phil Becker will be pulling double-duty at Monday’s Memorial Day service in Iola.
On top of directing the Iola Municipal Band through the national anthem to start the ceremony, Becker will change hats to deliver the keynote address.
Becker, 56, served three years in the U.S. Army and six years in the Army Reserve, where he played with the U.S. Continental Army Band.
The musicians were primarily used in support services for Fort Eustice and the historic Fort Monroe in southern Virginia.
Becker’s path into the Army started a bit later than most recruits. He enlisted at age 32, after having earned both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Texas.
“I did it for a couple of reasons,” Becker said. “The first was to get some professional music experience, and to get to serve my country.”
He will reflect on his service, and his life as a musician at Monday’s ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m. at Highland Cemetery. In case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the John Silas Bass Community Building, 505 N. Buckeye St.
DESPITE being a bit older than his fellow recruits, Becker embraced the Army’s basic training.
“I think it was my ability to handle stress,” he said.
His military service also helped fund his college education, noted Becker, who once again is a student, pursuing his doctorate in music.
Becker came to southeast Kansas in the summer of 2023, in order to begin teaching K-12 music in the Altoona-Midway school district.
It was upon his arrival that Becker learned about the Iola Municipal Band, the country’s oldest continuing community band west of the Mississippi River. (This summer is its 155th season.)
Becker credits his experience with a high school band in Topeka — he’s originally from Buhler — as the impetus for pursuing a career in music.
“I think I knew when I was a junior or senior,” Becker said. “I’d always enjoyed listening to music, but when my brother and I were in the band growing up, I just really enjoyed it. I wanted to learn as much as I could about playing instruments.”
(Of note, his instrument of choice is the tuba.)
Becker signed up as a member of the Iola band in 2023, about the time he accepted the teaching position at Altoona-Midway.
