My annual 30 seconds of serious reflection

I drag this one out of mothballs every spring because it still fits.
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I found sea duty difficult.

As the band's chief, I was the referee of a Texas cage match among sixteen professional wrestlers.

I was the marriage counselor for the sax player who got the bad letter from his wife.

I was trip planner who had to beg a surly coxswain for the admiral's barge so the band would be ashore in time for the concert.

I was the guy who sucked up to the laundry petty officer so the trio would have clean whites for the captain's reception.

I was the whipping boy for the MCPOC who hated the band and would have reamed out my boys if I didn't let him unleash his temper on me.

I was nursemaid, babysitter, tour director and music theory teacher.

Sometimes I was even the chaplain, the shepherd who brought comfort to the desolate.

And when I got the call in the Indian Ocean that my father was dying, my boys brought the same to me.

At times, I wanted to crawl into the nearest empty locker and hold my breath until the cruise was over.

And there were times I felt sorry for everyone in the world who was not, at that very moment, on a ship of the United States Navy in the Indian Ocean conducting this ragtag, 16-piece bagband through "Anchors Aweigh" during unreps.

Most people, despite their love of country and their respect for our service, cannot understand this.

You, my shipmates, understand.

See you next week in Orlando.
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The Daily Poop - Thurs., 21JUN12

Of the many things I enjoy about the NMA reunions, the anticipation is the hardest to deal with and, yet, the most enjoyable. During this final week of preparation, I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. I generally arrive a few days early, and look forward to meeting other early birds as they arrive. Even after the reunion is underway, members continue to arrive for days, and the scuttlebutt flies around the hotel ("Is Charlie here yet?" "No, but I heard Bill just got in." "Where the hell is Tom? He was supposed to fly in today"). 

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Packing for my flight to Orlando for the NMA reunion is involving some serious triage. This is not Ship's Open House to which the general is invited; it's six men in a four-man life raft, and all inessentials get tossed overboard.

It's not until next week, you say--why start packing now? Well, I'm determined to bring carry-on baggage only. I'll be in Orlando for eight days--that's a lotta skivvies--and I'm bringing a new camera with its assortment of plugs, cords and Japanese instructions. Every square inch of suitcase and computer case must be used to its best advantage, so I'm engaged in luggage sea trials. 

Fortunately, I was road-trained by the Navy Music Program. I have washed socks and skivvies in hotels and motels throughout the continental U.S. I've traveled the Orient and two oceans with an office packed into a seabag. I can make this work.

Nevertheless, bringing the minimum of clothing means my appearance may not always be up the high standards for which I have been known both on active duty ("...wears his uniform with unmistakable pride") and as a member of the NMA ("Damn, Frank looks good...how does he do it?)

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Checking the airlines baggage restrictions (I'm flying Delta and a couple of its subcontracted puddle-jumping Junior Airlines), I note that restrictions on carrying musical instruments aboard have been simplified. Last time I checked, there were incomprehensible limits on an instrument case's length, width, height, circumference, date of birth and . Their all gone now. Basically, you can take an instrument aboard for free as your single piece of carry-on luggage, as long as it fits in the overhead compartment or under the seat. This seems to mean that you could do an entire tour without the inconvenience of checking in any baggage, as long as you don't mind wearing the same ratty clothing every day.  

A special reunion treat

Frank's 2010 treat for his shipmates.

You may recall that, a couple of years ago, in anticipation of the NMA reunion, I dieted and exercised my weight down to my former E-7 level and put my old uniform as proof:

I did this, of course, for you, to motivate you, to show you that all things can be accomplished with good old Navy perseverance.

Frank's enhanced 2012 treat.

Well, shipmates, you were all so grateful for my concern for your welfare that I've done it again. More, actually.

During May and early June, I again slimmed down to my CPO weight. This time, however, because my devotion to your happiness is unceasing, I pursued my weight loss two additional pay grades. I will attend the reunion next week at my E-5 weight.

I know this makes you very happy, but you don't have to thank me. Your grumbling and under-the-breath commentary is all the thanks I need.

The Daily Poop - Wed., 20JUN12

Holy smokes--the NMA reunion starts one week from today. I'm so looking forward to it. Discussion around this household is pretty much All NMA, All the Time.

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I enjoy hearing from those who are also hyped up about coming, but also from friends who can't make it this year. John Derby has important family commitments, but promises to attend next year. Max Murray is tied up with gigs. I accept both excuses, but am making Page 13 entries in the service records of both subject personnel.

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I plan to arrive in Orlando late Sunday. Sometime on that day, or the next, your annual subscription to The Daily Poop will expire and be replaced by the NMA Reunion LiveBlog. The LiveBlog helps spread the joy to those who can't attend. For those that do come, it's archived and waiting for you when you get back home, in case you can't remember how much fun you had.

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I'm planning to bring my new camera to reunion. Problem is, it's a product of the space-age, and I'm a point-and-shoot kind of guy. I am pleased to note it does not have a lens cap, the cause of so many problems. If you've ever spent an afternoon with a Navy band posing for publicity shots by a Navy photographer who shoots the entire session with the lens cap still on his camera, raise your hand. Ah, yes, I see I am not alone...

The Daily Poop - Tues, 19JUN12

As the 2012 reunion of the Navy Musicians Association approaches, I believe it is important that we spotlight the wide variety of talent that will soon descend upon Orlando. Unfortunately, time, technology and attention span are limited, so this will have to do...

The Daily Poop - Mon., 19JUN12

Nine days until the NMA reunion. Who's in, who's out?

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John Vazquez is in. He just wrote to tell me he'll be at there "with bells on." I'm glad to hear this, as he's had to miss a few reunions; his duties with the American Legion often conflict with our schedule, a reasonable excuse for a vet.

John was helpful in making me feel at home at my first reunion, Louisville in 2006. I was nervous about playing with the bands, as physical injuries and surgeries had kept me away from music for ten years. John understood this from his own experience, and went out of his way to help me feel secure on the bandstand.

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Lee Hudson? I don't know. I broke down and wrote to him, deciding I'd rather know in advance whether the Enemy of Freedom was coming to Orlando rather than be unpleasantly surprised at the last minute. I haven't heard back. No news is no news.

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Sheldon Levy is in--sort of. Shel lives in the Orlando area and says he plans to "stop by." My message to Orlando homeporters, those who live in the area year-round: we hopw you'll join us for more than a quick handshake and pat on the back. We want you to participate, all the way, baby. When somebody loves you, it's no good unless he loves you...