You may recall that in December former assistant principal cornet Ryan Spacht left the River City Brass Band to join the US Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”) in Washington, DC. This amid news that his wife, Danielle, was expecting their first child.

Here’s an excerpt of an email I received from Ryan just the other day:

“I graduated Basic Training on Friday, February 29th. I was supposed to fly to Washington, DC, to meet up with Danielle at our new house on March 1st. My company forgot to buy me a plane ticket, so I got “left” in Ft. Jackson over the weekend and was not allowed to leave because the business offices were closed for the weekend…Well, I eventually got an on post pass, and spent the rest of the weekend on the phone and eating food at the on-post shopping court. I flew to Reagan airport on Monday afternoon, and Danielle went into labor 7 hours later, (15 days ahead of schedule)…She delivered Mercy Adelle Spacht at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4th. Mercy was 6 lbs, 2 oz at birth and 18 inches. God’s timing was perfect…”

Here’s a few photographs of the new mom, the proud papa, and the beautiful new baby.

Congratulations Ryan and Danielle!