The Daily Poop - Wed, 11JUN14

Welcome to the first 2014 issue of the Daily Poop, the annual, laser-guided, heat-seeking bag of crap that fills the two weeks leading up to the reunion of the Navy Musicians Association.

The Daily Poop will appear every morning here at NavyLyres. It's a compendium of reunion news, views and scuttlebutt as well as a dumping ground for self-absorbed chronicles of my personal doings.

The reunion officially begins on Wed., 25JUN, but things at the hotel will start stirring up a few days early as early birds arrive and preparations begin. A day or so before 25th, the Daily Poop will mutate into LiveBlog2014, constant reportage featuring photos, videos and blather.

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One of the things I love the most about NMA reunions is overhearing people complain about me. There's something special about the wonderful whispered phrase, "That damn Frank." This is because I always spend the springtime dieting so as to lose the evidence of winter excess and get myself into fighting trim by reunion time. I've got the poundage down to MU1 level and expect to reach MU2 by the reunion. 

Yes, this gets my shipmates p.o.'d, but I consider it worth the sacrifice.

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A note to first-time attendees:
A lot of MUs made their first reunion appearances last year and we're expecting even more in 2014. You probably have questions (Is there a dress code? What do I do when I arrive at the hotel? Can I bring a buddy who's not an MU?). You'll find answers to common questions at the First-timer's Guide.

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Got gossip? Coming for your first reunion? Chained to your oar in the galley? Lemme know.

Shipmate Frank presents: "Karma"

Newton's Third Law of Thermodynamics: "For every action their is an equal and opposite reaction."

Galations 6:7: "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

Frank Mullen: "Ed Rodgers has a Date with Destiny."

All will become clear at the 2014 Reunion of the Navy Musicians Association.

We do not forget...

...because military musicians help us remember.

Don't Give Up on the Shipmate

 On Saturday night of last year's reunion, after the equipment was packed up and the last toasts had been offered, I heard a number of members say the same thing: "Something was different this year."

I agreed then, and still do. The bands were hot, the jam sessions smoked and a crew of new members brought new energy and fresh sea stories. If they gave awards for reunions, the 2013 reunion would have won an NMA Commendation Medal.

I say, let's add a silver star to that ribbon. Let's make the 2014 reunion even better.

A top-notch reunion starts with you. Your attendance is, in itself, a great contribution. We need to fill out the horn sections. We need audiences for our concerts. We need dancers on the floor. We need shipmates to listen to our stories.

This is where you can help. There's an old friend you've been trying to talk into coming. He always says, "Maybe next year," or "I'm just not ready yet." You feel like giving up on this guy.

Don't. Give him a call, shoot him an email, give him the sales pitch one more time. If he relents and joins us in June, he'll be forever grateful. If he doesn't, make like a Chicago Cubs fan and tell yourself, "Maybe next year."


I am an NMA-loving, reunion-attending member because someone did this for me. An old shipmate called me once or twice a year to shoot the breeze. He'd always invite me to join this bunch of MUs who held a get-together every year. Sure, I'd say. Maybe next year. I'm just not ready yet.

It took a few years. I regret that; the NMA has become an important part of my life, and I'm glad Terry Chesson didn't give up on me.

My case is not unique. Many of us have become loyal attendees--"the NMA Regular Navy"--because a friend didn't quit trying.

I guess what I'm saying is, friends don't give up on friends. Give your old shipmate one more call. He deserves it.

All the info on joining the NMA, registering for the reunion and booking a hotel room is online at our website.


That reminds me, there's a trombone player from Navy Band Newport I haven't talked to in a while. I'll bet I've got Dave's phone number around somewhere....

To Our Active-duty Comrades

"On Armed Forces Day, we honor the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who render the highest service any American can offer.... I urge citizens to learn more about military service by attending and participating in the local observances of the day. I also encourage Americans to volunteer at organizations that provide support to our troops and their families." 

-- 2014 Armed Forces Day Presidential Proclamation (full text here.)

Among all patriotic holidays, Armed Forced Day stands out as an observance of all those currently on active duty. In other words, it is not a day look back, but to look around.

And what you'd see--if you could, indeed, look around at all the parades, ceremonies and displays that honor our active-duty compatriots--is military musicians.



Who helps citizens "learn about military service by attending and participating in ...local observances"? Military musicians. Every military band is a representative of its branch of service; sometimes, particularly to audiences in isolated areas who are fortunate enough to have a visit from a traveling unit, a military band is it's branch of service.

Who are the volunteers "at organizations that provide support to our troops and their families"? Military musicians. Every military musician on active duty today is a volunteer who has offered his or her talents to serve a cause greater than self. In this respect, they are patriots.

Armed Forces Week has not been a vacation for these patriots; it has been a time of work, important work. And we who once did his work understand and offer thanks to our brothers and sisters who serve today in military bands. We know what it's like when the guest of honor doesn't get the day off.

A few years back...

Every Navy Musicians Association reunion brings new members, new music and new challenges. But the camaraderie, the sea stories and the joy of sharing ourselves through music--these things never change.