Raleigh, N.C. — The United Services Organization of North Carolina presented an award to the Leesville High School Road Band Sunday to thank the group for its help over the years.

The band has played entry music for the honorees at the USO’s annual fundraiser, Salute to Freedom Gala, since the event’s inception in 2005. At the gala, service members from each branch of the military are honored as Service Heroes of the Year.

"The band provides a compelling introduction for our Service Heroes of the Year," USO-N.C.’s Vice-President of Operations Al Steiner said. "It's the emotional highlight of the evening."

Steiner presented the Leesville High band director David Albert with a framed photograph at a joint concert with the North Carolina Wind Orchestra in downtown Raleigh. Each band member also received a certificate.

Since 1994, the USO has helped 100,000 service members and their families traveling through the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.