Becoming a Sailor

 You join the Navy, but you become a sailor. Here's how it happens . . . 

Memorial Day

 We are free this Memorial Day weekend, free from our responsibilities, free to fire up the grill for a family cookout, free to hoist a few brews with our friends.

All this freedom came at a cost. Throughout our history, American men and women have heard our nation's call, left the barbeque behind, put on a uniform, hoisted the anchor, stood the watch, dug the trench, manned the guns, stormed the beach. .

Some did not return to savor the freedom they won. This Memorial Day weekend, we are enjoying the fruits of their sacrifice..

Let us honor them in a way that would make them proud.

John Dodge Miles: "Navy Band Adventures."

I'm always happy to learn about other blogs, online diaries, or other sources of Navy band memories and commentary written by MUs. NavyLyres ain't the only game in town.

I've just found the Sand Hill Muse blog, hosted by former MU John Dodge Miles. It's a cornucopia of information on various subjects--just what you'd expect from a musician specializing in "electro-acoustic, computer-assisted music composition and experimental video," with varied interests in poetry, photography, and writing.

I'm interested in John's writing about his time in the Guam and UNITAS bands. Copious photography and illustrations accompany his recollections of his experiences. You'll find them in the blog's Navy Band Adventures section.

It's good reading that I hope you'll enjoy.