Roger Kirchner, the son of a of former Mexico High School band teacher Keith Kirchner, and former Mexico High School math teacher Linda Kirchner, is officially retiring from Active Duty in the Missouri National Guard's 135th Army Band on November 1st.

Roger's official rank is Sgt 1st Class and he has moved up in the ranks through out his career which he started in 2000.

He earned the position of Readiness NCO with the 135th Army Band on September 1, 2005.

His father Keith, taught Roger how to play music and also served in the Missouri National Guard in both the 135th Army Band and the Air National Guard Band in St. Louis. In a recent article released by the Missouri National Guard, Roger said "My dad talked about the Guard Band, and that's how I got interested in it". Growing up, my dad was the director. You have different times that you know he's your teacher and your dad, and you are playing music that way."

The Kirchner's family ties to Mexico and music is deep and in 2022 Roger's wife of twenty plus years, Carla, joined the 135th Army Band's Brass Band. She is now Staff Sgt. Carla Kirchner. And now their son Royal is thinking about trying out for the 135th Army Band next summer.

Roger's band Fire For Effect has performed 79 successful missions, averaged 14 gigs a year, and performed 52 schools and 27 other venues.

SFC Kirchner oversaw and/or participated in 999 total missions for nearly five million live audience members. SFC Kirchner with the Army Band has performed at the Mexico High School, Mexico Middle School, a summer concert in the park, the Missouri Military Academy three times and at Community R6.

Roger made a career out playing in the Army Band and to top it all off, he ended with a concert.

Roger's band Fire For Effect had it's final concert with the 135th Army Band was at Van Buren High School, where his journey first started. He was joined by his father Keith, who was playing the keyboards and his son Royal on the bass guitar. Roger had the lead with the electric guitar and vocals. The last song of the set they performed together was Blink 182's "All the Small Things."

When asked, what will you do in retirement? Roger responded, "I am doing an apprenticeship with the Chicago School of Guitar Making. I enjoy building things and creating music. Plus I will stay busy being a father and attending my kids sporting events and enjoy watching them grow up. I intend to stay busy."