Story by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs with contribution from Meagan Malone
PILSEN, Czech Republic— Stuttgart High School’s Legacy Drumline and Panther Dancers brought a vibrant piece of American culture to the city’s annual liberation festival on May 2 to 5.
This year, the city of Pilsen celebrated the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation by the U.S. Army on May 6, 1945 and invited the drumline and dancers to return to join a multinational celebration of freedom.
Pilsen’s event organizers originally discovered the students’ performances on YouTube and invited the teams to participate in the 2024 liberation events. This year, the students received a return invitation to perform from Pilsen’s mayor and the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic.
“It’s always a pleasure to experience such a historic event and even greater to participate in the celebration,” Stuttgart High School’s Stuttgart Legacy Drumline Coach and faculty member Clarence Everett, Jr. said. “Having the students perform to usher in the American culture of marching has been a highlight for the city of Pilsen. I hope to continue the partnership with the city of Pilsen and celebrate their liberation.”
The festivities kicked off Friday evening with a performance during the opening ceremony in Náměstí Republiky. Throughout the weekend, the Stuttgart Legacy Drumline and Panther Dancers performed pop-up shows, entertained VIPs, and even led spectators to the rally point for the Convoy of Liberty parade, a reenactment of the liberation ceremony featuring more than 350 vintage and contemporary military vehicles from the U.S. and Czech Armies accompanied by a flyover of historic aircraft.
The students’ performances resonated deeply with attendees, including families of U.S. service veterans who stopped to tell the kids how much they enjoyed the little piece of America they brought.
Stuttgart High School Senior and Legacy Drumline co-captain Wyatt Ratliff said the trip was particularly meaningful as it his final experience as part of the drumline.
“As a senior, this is my last big event with the Drumline, and I can’t quite put into words how amazing being able to bring our group to Pilsen is,” Ratliff said. “I couldn’t be prouder of how far the line and our newer members have come over the last year.”
Bill Butler, U.S. European Command Historian and father of a Panther Dancers team member, reflected on the significance of the event calling it a “special time in his family’s life.”
“We are so thankful that [my daughter] and fellow members of the Stuttgart Dance Team and the Legacy Drumline have seen firsthand the sincerest expressions of gratitude the citizens of Pilsen hold for the sacrifices American service members made on their behalf over eight decades ago,” Butler said.
The Stuttgart Legacy Drumline and Panther Dancers’ participation in the Liberation Festival Pilsen exemplifies the strong ties between the United States and the Czech Republic.
Panther Dancers coach and Stuttgart High School teacher Carrie Smith said it was an honor to be part of the celebration.
“It feels good to partner with another country and appreciate each other’s efforts,” Smith said. “The city is an excellent host and they welcome us like celebrities. Marching with the Drumline in our red, white, and blue is an unforgettable experience for us all.”