Friday, May 28, 2010

Honors for a 61-year-old MU

Every year, on a Friday afternoon in May, a year since it happened last, it catches me by surprise.

It happened again today. I was sitting at the computer, windows open to let in the breeze of a warm spring day, when I heard a drum cadence. When the roll-off began, I'd reached the front door.

And by the time I reached the front yard, a 50-piece marching band was formed up in the street in front of my house, playing "Anchors Away."

Just as it does every year, the local high school marching band was practicing for the Memorial Day ceremony. Since I live behind the school, I am the audience, reviewing stand and guest of honor. And every year, the band's first piece is "Anchors."

Maybe it's random. Or, maybe it's because the band director knows I'm a former Navy musician.

But, every year, the sudden concert surprises me.

It also surprises me how I snap to attention without thinking.

1 comment:

John Derby said...

I'm as surprised as you are when I start choking up at the sound of the old Alma Mater. Weird how the one tune we played more than any other during our Navy careers gets to us.