The Daily Poop - Sat., 13JUN09

I've been reading about renovations to the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Virginia Beach, where the Navy Musicians Association will soon meet. Rooms have been upgraded, changes made in the restaurant. I'm particularly glad to note that rooms and public areas now have wireless connectivity. (I also recall a small business center off the lobby with computers and a printer.)

One thing I'm sure hasn't changed is Virginia's summertime weather. Reunions in Virginia Beach always bring to mind the indignity of being forced to run around the Amphibious Base in the broiling afternoon sun in formation with a contingent of deranged Marines who did not understand the concept of "cruel and unusual punishment."

Carrying on a proud tradition

Next week I'll be drving through the Illinois cornfields toRock Island to see an outdoor concert by Horizon, the jazz/rock contingent of Navy Band Great Lakes.

Although I've seen some fine performances by Navy ceremonial bands at recent NMA reunions, I haven't seen a public concert by a Navy band since I left the service two decades ago.This, then, will be my first opportunity to play the traditional role of Clueless Old Man who Harrasses the Bandleader.

I'm planning to get tto the venue early so I can bombard the bandleader with endless questions while he's trying to get the band set up. Here's whatI've come up with so far:

-- My nephew is in the Navy. Maybe you know him? Dan
Johnson?

-- What is your real job in the Navy?

-- No, I mean what do you really do when you're not fooling
around?

-- If I set up my chair here, will I be able to see when the band starts
marching?

-- You'll still play if it rains, right? The Navy's not afraid of a little
water, right?

Please feel free to suggest any other inane questions you remember. The band is traveling a long way for this gig, and I want to give them a proper welcome.

Article 87

“Any person subject to this chapter who through neglect or design misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which he is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

-- Art. 87, Uniform Code of Military Justice.
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The 2009 reunion of the Navy Musicians Association begins on June 24. In other words: the ship is about to weigh anchor.

If you haven't made your plans, now is the time.

To register for the reunion, download an NMA reunion registration form .

There are still some rooms at the Virginia Beach Holiday Inn Executive Center. For reservations, call (800) 567-3856 or (757) 499-4400.

I look forward to seeing you, and all members of the NMA.

W-w-what? You haven't yet joined the NMA?

Send a $30 check made out to NMA to:

Cecil Strange, Treasurer
Navy Musicians
Association
PO Box 2294
Plant City, FL 33564-2294

(Include information on your service dates, instrument(s), telephone number, and email address.)

Take care of this right away and save yourself a boatload of trouble later.

Carry on.