Thursday, August 28, 2008

A Navy Hero is Recognized

(Springfield, Ill.) The Illinois Department of Motor Vechicles has issued a new license plate honoring former Chief Musician Frank Mullen III, United States Navy.

"Every hero doesn't have a chest full of medals," said Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich during a ceremony on the Statehouse steps. "The Frank Mullen Unsung Hero License Plate honors all veterans whose heroism was more of a state of mind than an actual accomplishment."

The license plate, shown below, depicts one of the highest honors won by Chief Mullen.


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

NMA Geezer Rock

This morning I took my guitar out of its case for the first time since the reunion in Memphis and found the set list for the rock band's Saturday night performance:

"I Get By With a Little Help from Depends"

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life-support System"

"Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker"

"Sixty-six Candles"

"Papa's Got a Brand New Colostomy Bag"

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Give this guy a medal

[Update below]

Sometimes it's not Carnegie Hall. Sometimes you don't have a state-of-the-art sound system. Sometimes you aren't swarmed by thousands of excited fans.

But every audience deserves the best you've got. The full show. That's what you get paid for. That's what professionalism demands.

Here's a guy who knows that. He's fronting the Fleet Forces Band in the Philippines during the 2007 Pacific Partnership humanitarian cruise. He's not saving his best for a TV show or concert hall. He's giving his all.

This is Navy music at its best.




Update -- In an earlier version, I misidentified this band. Thanks to Bob Marquart for passing on corrections.