Newtown Air Force Trumpeter Marches in Inaugural Parade

Joe Grasso grew up in Newtown and lived here for almost 28 years before he joined the Air Force in 2004. When he retires in June with the rank of Master Sergeant, he's hoping to come back home for good -- to find a house somewhere in town, to be near his parents, brothers and sister who still live here.

"I've never been prouder to be a resident, because of how great our people have been recently," he told Patch. "And frankly, the whole country has been great. Every time I play, I'm very aware I'm representing my town."

Master Sgt. Grasso is a trumpeter with the Air Force's Ceremonial Brass band, and on Monday, he'll march in his third and final inauguration. (He's previously marched at the 2004 and 2008 inaugurations.) The 99-piece band and 80-person Honor Guard flight will march along the 1.5-mile route down Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House.

"It's wonderful to do something like this," he said, "because it reflects how great it is to be an American. Even though there's not a new president, it's very unique that we're able to do something like this."

Grasso has performed at Arlington National Cemetery and the Macy's Day Parade. From 2002 to 2004, he was a trumpeter and tour manager with the United States Air Force Band at Sembach Air Base in Germany.

"When I look at this, initially it's going to be hard to sum up a career," he said. "About five years down the road, that's when I'll look back. I'll look at this as an important time in my life -- something that's hard to do something bigger than this. This is bigger than all of us, a patriotic thing to do, when we do things for our country."

He'll start looking for a job soon, but whatever he ends up doing upon his return home, he says the Air Force will always be with him.

"It's bittersweet," he said about his retirement. "I've got a lot of great friends here. This job -- it's not a job, it's a lifestyle. That's how to be successful -- realize it's a way of life. It's a high calling."