If you’ve seen an armed services ensemble perform before, you might think you know what to expect when Fort Jackson’s 282D Army Band takes the stage this Monday at the new Lexington Two Performing Arts Center on Platt Springs Road.

After all, the 282D Army Band is playing on Veterans Day, at a Veterans Day concert. You’re probably expecting a brass section and patriotic anthems that are decades or even centuries old.

But the 282D has a surprise in mind, and you might want to make sure you’re ready to rock as well as feel patriotic.

“They are actually performing one of their rock concerts,” said Jim LeBlanc, the executive director of the Performing Arts Center and Fine Arts Programming. “For those shows, they’re called Mission Essential, and they’re going to put together some Americana patriotic pieces for a show that’s about an hour long.”

“A lot of times when people think of the Army band, or any of the armed forces branches and their bands, they’re thinking of a full orchestra or brass band,” LeBlanc continued. “But most of the members of the 282D Army Band also have other groups, whether it’s jazz bands or rock bands.”

Before the band rocks out at the Performing Arts Center on Monday, you’ll have a chance to truly take in the meaning and emotions of Veterans Day.

“The Junior ROTC from Brookland-Cayce High School will perform,” LeBlanc said. “Then we will have vocal students from Airport High School singing the national anthem to help us get started. We’ll also have a guest speaker, Leonard Friersen, who has worked in the Lexington 2 school district for years. He is a two-time war veteran and will share remarks about what Veterans Day means to him and the community.”

The concert is a meaningful event on its own, but LeBlanc said it also helps fulfill the multiple missions of the Lexington Two Performing Arts Center, which first opened last May.

The center’s primary goal is to serve Lexington Two students, schools and employees, but its vision also includes community and cultural events.

“First and foremost, we serve the students of Lexington 2,” LeBlanc said, “providing them opportunities for well-rounded arts experiences.”

“The other side of that is our venue is uniquely situated right here in the middle of our district, and also the Midlands and the state of South Carolina,” he continued. “So we want to provide offerings that present the community in a positive light and create opportunities for community members to participate in positive experiences.”

The main reason for this Veterans Day concert is to honor those who served and sacrificed so events like this can happen, something LeBlanc emphasizes when discussing the concert.

“I have the utmost respect for our military folks who have served our country,” LeBlanc said. “These are the people who provide this unique freedom that many aren’t privileged to experience. So, for me, this is a great opportunity to celebrate those men and women, to celebrate our history as a country, and to let these veterans know that we are grateful and thankful for their service.”

Doors open at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, for the first-come, first-served general admission seating. No tickets are required for entry.