Italy has given the world much good music but in the opinion of two Williamsport soldiers the best that the Latin country can produce does not equal the strains of the “Repasz Band March.”

The two local servicemen who had that opinion are: Warrant Officer Thomas Byerly, 825 Elmira Street and Corporal Herman Vail of 505 Center Street.

The reason simply is the two local warriors in a far-off land, thrilled to the hearing of the “Repasz Band March” — a number about a hometown band and written by a hometown musician.

To fortify the soldiers’ information the band for whom the march is named is the oldest community band in the United States. It celebrated its 100th birthday in 1931.