Veterans Day Message from Frank

 It may seem odd to those who have never served in the military, but, on Veterans Day, we vets join our civilian friends and families in thanking veterans for their service. We do this because we, more than anyone, know the challenges veterans have faced.

Here, CWO Terry Chesson administers the reenlistment oath to me at NETC Newport, RI in the mid-1980s. This duty station was pivotal for me as a petty officer first class preparing for advancement to greater levels of leadership. I am grateful for the leadership opportunities Mr. Chesson gave me at this critical point in my career. He let me off the leash but never gave me enough rope to hang myself.

I thank Terry and all the other leaders and shipmates who made my time in the Navy unforgettable. As I hear at every reunion with my shipmates:

I'd do it all again.

We Had a Ball at the 2023 NMA Reunion.

And jam sessions, sea stories, concerts, dancing, and a powerful performance by the USN Fleet Forces band. Our newest members included a few active-duty MUs and some salty MUs who enlisted shortly after World War II.

And, oh, the stories...

NMA Reunion 2023: Taps

Taps. Taps. Lights out. All hands return to their racks and maintain silence about the decks.

Taps.

We have dined together, danced together, and played together one last time. The 2023 reunion of the NMA is now completed.

It moved at light speed; it always does. We meet on Wednesday morning, get coffee, then stroll down the hall to our first rehearsal.

And too soon, it is over. Tomorrow morning, we'll hop in cars and on planes, returning home with memories that will sustain us until we meet again.

I'll be traveling for a few days, Upon my return, I'll hope to post more about the 2023 reunion. But, now:

Taps. Taps. Lights out. All hands return to their racks and maintain silence about the decks.

Taps.

Liberty Call

We play a lot at an NMA reunion, and that playing involves rehearsal. After a few days of hard work, liberty is in order. 

This morning, we held our Membership Meeting, at which we passed the word, solicited questions, and elected a board of directors. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner, dancing, and making our final goodbyes.

So, this afternoon, we're on liberty, a few hours to rest, see the sights, talk with friends, read a newspaper. We've earned some time off.

But not too much time off. After all, this is Virginia Beach, where the path to Navy music begins, adventure calls, and danger lurks around every bend.

Our Ship Has Sailed

When a Navy ship departs at 0900 on a Wednesday morning, everybody is aboard. The rare latecomer will find his berth in a convenient brig.

When an NMA reunion launches at 0900 on a Wednesday morning, most of us are aboard. But, some can't make it at that time. Families, jobs, and community commitments all compete for our time. So we understand that some members will arrive later in the day, on Thursday, or even on Friday night. No report chits are issued--just a hearty "Welcome aboard, shipmate." 

A Quiet Place to Work

Our Legal Affairs Advisor, Bill Sterck, keeps the NMA on the straight and narrow path. And, as our Parliamentarian, he ensures our business meetings are run in an orderly manner, in accordance with Robert's Rules of Mutinous MUs.  

So, no lawyer jokes here, not a single one. Although, I would point out that anyone who needs a place to concentrate would be better off at a Metallica concert or amphibious assault training beach than at an NMA reunion.

Oh, the Braggadocio

The chatter. The bleating. The incessant jawboning, blathering, and blatting of rehashed tales of glory and derring-do. Day after day, night after night, 24/7.

It. Never. Stops.

And why should it? We came here to share our stories. 

A reunion is a constantly-replenished exchange of tidbits of misinformation. Spouses call them lies. Psychologists call them delusions of grandeur.

We call them sea stories.

NMA Bling

A pair of must-have items in every fashion-conscious
MU's seabag: the traditional unit cap and shirt of the
NMA.  

Of course, a touch of modernity is always welcome.
Our flashy, up-to-date shirts burst forth with a 
 stylish flash that marks the modern MU as a "with it," 
devil-may-care liberty hound.
 

Sporting this item on your roadster will
tell the world exactly who you are: a
seasoned MU with a License to Thrill.

Concert Band: Day One

Fifteen minutes earlier, only one
sax player had found his way to
the bandstand--but, baby, look
at us now.

Preparing for the first rehearsal of the NMA Concert Band is tense. Will we have any flutes this year? What if no tuba players show up? Can a muted sarrusophone cover the heckelhorn solo in Fanfare From Overture to March Triumphant of the Gladiators of the Mystic Nobles?

Ray looks mystified; someone from
the percussion section--probably
Jim Richards--must have asked a
deep question.

We needn't have worried this year. By the time conductor Ray Ascione was ready to give the afternoon's first downbeat, most parts were covered. And, before we'd rehearsed three numbers, more members had straggled in, and our instrumentation was complete.

Sixth position? No problem for our
experienced trombone section.

Complete, but not large--at least not yet. Wednesday's band is generally smaller than the band we wind up with on Friday night, as not all members can come for the first day. But, even during this first rehearsal, our band sounded, well, great. A couple more rehearsals (and a few more nights of sea stories and jazz) will have this band ready for a performance we'll talk about for a long time.  

 

 

Michael Durig

 Yesterday brought us a sight you won't often see at an NMA reunion: a guitarist.

Michael Durig arrived for his first reunion. He's been wanting to come for years, but, you know how life is---it tends to get in the way of our plans.

However, it worked out this year, and we're glad to have Michael with us. Not just because he's a guitarist, but because he's a good guy, a shipmate, a fellow MU.

Oh, and he also plays F horn in the concert band.

Getting the Rust Out

Okay, so maybe we're not at the best of our game at 0900. It's been a long time since our lives revolved around Morning Colors at the flagpole and First Period concerts in the gymnasium.

But by the time we got to Hayburner, things were starting to swing, and Someone to Watch Over Me captured the sweet air of romance.

I will not discuss Cha Cha for Judy.

Reunion 2023: Anchors Aweigh!

Let go all lines. Underway! Shift colors! Secure the special sea detail. Set the regular underway watch.

The 2023NMA Reunion now begins.

Reunion tempo.

Wednesday morning, Reunion Day 1

Soon, the party begins, but I'm glad I got here early.

An NMA reunion begins on a Wednesday morning at andante and accelerates to moderato by day's end. With each passing day, the tempo picks up as more members arrive. By Friday night's concert, latecomers have arrived with new stories, and the tempo has moved up to vivace. 

There's so much to do, so many friends to talk to, newcomers to meet, music to play. Sometimes a reunion ends and I feel I haven't had a complete conversation all week.

So I enjoyed the last two slow, pre-reunion days. I had plenty of time to spend with Ken Davenport. My old assistant leader from Newport came to his first reunion last year, and we hardly had time to say "hi." But now, we've caught up on things.

Similarly, I spent an hour yesterday with Ray Ascione, my boss during a tour on staff at SOM. If I hadn't been here before the reunion hurly-burly kicks in, I would have missed this opportunity.

This is not to say I don't like the nutso speed of our reunions. I love it. But it's nice to have a chance to warm up your horn before the tempo kicks off.

It's not too late for you to join us. The hotel still has some rooms saved for us. You don't have to be here while things are still moderato; you can show up for the Saturday prestissimo.

I now have time for a cup of coffee before heading down below; it's about to get wild around here. 

It is perfectly acceptable to begin shooting the 
breeze before the reunion officially begins.

Slowly, but surely...

Though the reunion begins tomorrow, the registration room--our "quarterdeck"-- opened this afternoon, and MUs began trickling in.

Preparing for the 2023 NMA Reunion

MUs are arriving at the Holiday Inn, preparing for a few days of music, camaraderie and sea stories at the 2023 NMA Reunion

It's not too late to join us. Even if you can come only for a few days, the hotel is still holding some rooms for us. Call the front desk and get your room. (Group code: NMA). If you have a problem getting a room, ask Maria Brunner, Sales Manager.

Info at www.navymusicians.org 

Tomorrow morning, this will be the most 
popular spot in the Holiday Inn.

Charley Sweet checked into the hotel this afternoon and, within
minutes, figured out where the MUs were.

Packing for the Reunion--A short drama

Packing for the Reunion

A play in One Act

starring 

Jo and Frank as Themselves

Scene: Basement laundry room. Frank is squashing clothing into an already-overstuffed suitcase. Jo enters.

 -----------------------------------

Jo: So, are you packing some decent clothes to wear to the reunion?

Frank: Why should I wear decent clothes?

Jo: Because you want to look nice for the reunion.

Frank: Why should I look nice?

Jo: Because you look forward all year to spending a few days with your Navy friends.

Frank: My Navy friends are slobs.

Jo: Maybe they don't look like they just stepped out of the pages of GQ, but...

Frank: They look like they just stepped out of the dumpster behind the Salvation Army. They wear Hawaiian shirts that were already fading when statehood was granted. 

Jo: Still, you could look nice and set them a good example.

Frank: I set them a good example just by putting on long pants. You've seen these guys; they walk around the hotel in shorts like it's Varicose Vein Appreciation Week.

Jo: Well, you're ruining your clothes by squeezing them in the suitcase like that.

Frank: What's to ruin? My clothes are crap.

Jo: That's the problem.

Frank: That's the solution. It's protective coloration. These reunions are like being back in the Navy. You want to blend in. Standing out catches the attention of people who have dangerous plans for your future.

Jo: This is ridiculous. You can't fit everything in one suitcase. We're spending three days on the road; pack three days' worth of clothes in a small bag. Then you won't have to drag your entire so-called "wardrobe" into a motel every night, and your alleged "good" clothing won't get ruined. When it's over, and we're heading home, you do it again, packing just enough in the little bag.

Frank: Too confusing. Too dangerous.

Jo: What's confusing and dangerous about packing sensibly?

Frank: It's too much like the San Antonio Plan.

Jo: What's the San Antonio Plan?

Frank: Remember the 2010 reunion, when we flew separately? I was leaving first and didn't have room in my carry-on suitcase for everything. So someone cooked up the San Antonio Plan: Since I was leaving first, I'd pack X number of skivvy shorts, just enough to last until the weekend, when you'd fly in with Y number of svivvies and take home the X skivvies.

Jo: Seems logical. What were the values of all these Xs and Ys?

Frank; I didn't know then and I don't know now. All I know is that I wound up in San Antonio with a suitcase full of brassieres and no underwear. I was terrified. My friends may be slobs, but they're not perverts.

Jo: What did you do?

Frank: David had the keys to the equipment van. He was going to Walmart and asked me if I wanted to come.

Jo: And you told him your sordid tale of treachery and perversion?

Frank: Guys don't have lengthy, detailed discussions about their shopping needs. We walked into Walmart and David said, "I'll meet you back here at the checkout." He went one way, I went the other. Within 35 seconds I found some underwear and headed back to the checkout. David was already there. It was an amazing experience. I was sixty years old and had never been shopping with a guy. It's so incredibly different from the usual experience of shopping with...Jo? Yo, Jo! Honey?

The curtain falls