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At 104, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Breaks His Own World Record
May 31, 2022
Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment, age 104, broke his own world record Monday.
Emond held the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” for leading the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes”. He set the previous record at age 103 last November in Washington, D.C.
Monday night, he led the Pensacola Civic Band in the seventh annual Pensacola Memorial Day Concert at the Community Maritime Park amphitheater.
“I’m so happy that I’m still able to do this. It was my life’s work conducting, so once or twice a year when I get a chance, it’s always good,” Emond said. “I’m real happy I still have the physical strength to do this.”
Related: Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Turns 104
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band.
Pictured: At 104, Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment broke his own Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” Monday at the Pensacola Memorial Day Concert. Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
16 Responses to “At 104, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Breaks His Own World Record”
An American Superhero! Thank you for your Service and Sacrifice for our Country! We are Looking forward to your 105th Birthday!
Congratulations, Sir, you are an American treasure. You more than many know how precious our freedom is. Thank you for your service. God bless and keep you!!
Congratulations Mr. Frank. My wife and I had the honor and privilege of sharing lunch with you when you visited Clarksville, TN during the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration a few years back. I think then you were a “Young 101″!!. I am a 25 year Army veteran and I salute you for your service and your longevity. Keep on “Keeping On” and please come visit our city again.
JC & Lora Whitney
Congratulations on another milestone, Mr. Emond. I had the privilege of working for you at the Navy School of Music, and again while you were the leader of the Pensacola Navy Band. Here’s to many more birthdays!
Mr. Emond,
I am so happy to see you celebrating another birthday, and breaking your own Guinness world record once again for conducting, I can still recall the days back in 1963-1965 when you conducted the NAS Pensacola Band (of which I was a member) during the Mardi Gras parades. You are always on my mind. You are a hero to many!
God Bless you sir!
Ed Neal
@Molino mom, thank you for sharing those little tid bits about this fella, he truly is inspiring.
American Legion Post 340 ALR (American Legion Riders) done a surprise biker run for him on his birthday. He was at church so they all rode their bikes to his church and surprised him. He is a true hero! And such an amazing man. He also sings in the choir there. God Bless this man and I hope he has many more years!
You’re truly an inspiration! Congratulations from another Navy veteran!
I hope I’m doing as good as this fella at 70, much less a 104, you sir an an inspiration to stay motivated and not allow ones self to mildew!!!
As a veteran myself, I salute you for your service to this great nation both as a member of the Armed Forces and in a Civilian capacity, thank you. I can only hope to follow in your footsteps serving my fellow American citizens.
Congratulations and Thank you Mr. Frank for your dedication and commitment to continue serving those who serve and have served. I’m a former Air Force sergeant who gladly served and would do it again. To you Mr. Frank….I salute you sir.
Mr. Emond I salute you sir. You are a national treasure with so many amazing accomplishments. Thank you for all you have done for our country. God Bless you Sir and Happy birthday to you!
You are an inspiration. To what do you owe your longevity? I salute you.
I too am a French horn player/Conductor. Thank you for being a great inspiration!
As a retired USAF Master Sergeant, I salute you for not only breaking your current Guinness World
Thank you frank for your service and protecting our county
Congratulations young man. I salute you!!!!