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.

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.