Not just fiddling around: Youths excited about ceremony

Ed Koch and Mary Manning

Friday, May 28, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

The members of the Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers who will be attending the World War II National Memorial Dedication Ceremony Saturday in Washington, D.C. :

But the 11-year-old hopes that by going to Washington, D.C., as the youngest member of the Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers for Saturday's dedication of the World War II National Memorial there, she will learn more by being part of history in a place rich in history.

"I hope to see the sights and go into the museums and learn more about America," Blue said Thursday before boarding a midnight flight for the nation's capital with the 16 other members of what they believe is the only electronic fiddling troupe in the western United States.

"I'm kind of excited, but I don't like being away from home for too long."

Blue took up the fiddle -- violin she calls it -- at age 4 and prefers playing classical music. But, she says, "it's fun to play faster, joyous songs too."

The fiddlers will perform at the National Prayer Breakfast prior to the dedication ceremony at the monument. Their selections will include "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "God Bless America."

Hometown Fiddlers Director Adam Schultheis says taking the troupe, ages 11 to 17, to such an important event should inspire the children, especially when President Bush dedicates the memorial.

"I loved history when I was their age," said Schultheis, the son of a World War II veteran. "There is nothing better than experiencing history.

"I hope years from now when they see a report of this monument on TV they will tell their children they were a part of its history, having been there when it was dedicated."

The nonprofit musical group, founded in 2000, was invited to perform by the National American Legion last fall. Since then, they have held fund-raisers and have received two $2,500 grants, one from the Boulder City Council, the other from the Boulder City Rotary Club.

Still, each member wound up having to pay $350 to cover the round-trip flight and their food for the three-day stay, Schultheis said.

During a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, the group will again perform and present wreaths at the grave of Army ranger Matthew Commons of Boulder City, one of seven Americans killed March 4, 2002 in Afghanistan. The fiddlers had performed at a memorial service for Commons in Boulder City on March 11, 2002.

The troupe previously went to Washington to represent Nevada in the 2001 Independence Day Parade. Also in 2001 they received the George Washington Honor Medal, given by the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation.

They are next scheduled to perform locally on July 4 at the Independence Day Parade in Boulder City.