1st Lieutenant Lon T. Palmer, commander of the 504th Air Force Band, was a life-long teacher who saw music as an integral part of a well-rounded education. He believed that music was a powerful engine for tolerance and a fundamental language with unifying qualities. To honor his legacy and to carry on his work, The Lon T. Palmer Music Education Fund works in cooperation with public school music programs and offers financial assistance for special programming that promotes inclusive, participatory music education.