For Richard Strong, it was one moment a decade ago that let him know his son Jeffrey could be something special.
"When I heard him perform one time in high school at a music festival and he played a flugelhorn solo and I wish I could remember the name of the song right now, that was just breathtaking, it was beautiful," said Strong.
Now Marine Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Strong, the Buchanan High School graduate plays trumpet in the Marine Corp Band and on Monday, he will be playing in front of President Obama at his second inauguration.
"Obviously you know it is a huge honor for me to be there, as the band itself, the president's own marine band, we've been playing at the inauguration since 1801 and this is our 54th inauguration and to be a part of that tradition and carry on that history is really a cool experience for me," said Strong.
At Buchanan, teachers remember strong's commitment and drive.
"You know I remember Jeff as being such a talented kid to begin with but also with a great work ethic. It's not enough to have talent but you have to have drive to really make it happen," said teacher Heidi Franklin.
A drive that will give Strong the opportunity to play within feet of the president on Monday, an opportunity that he knows is once in a lifetime.
"Pretty much every time I come to work I feel like I'm doing something that is meaningful and that's a great feeling, but in particular being a part of the inauguration is going to be a lot of fun,” Strong said.
