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Frank Mullen's very unofficial source of poop, skinny and bitching for present and former U.S. Navy Musicians.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Leo Leary back in action
Many of us learned last fall that NMA member Leo Leary had suffered a serious stroke.
A few days ago Bob Marquart ran into him at a Norfolk Tides baseball game. Leo was puttering around on a three-wheeled scooter, as Bob says, "about 60 pounds lighter and just lookin' good."
Bob adds that Leo still has some arm and leg issues, but he's "bouncing back strong." He's been on a few cruises with his wife and is now back to work full time at his bar, Dockers.
Leo attributes his recovery to obeying a strict therapy regimen. On behalf of all who know and love him, may I say that it's good to see Lieutenant Leary finally doing what he's told.
A few days ago Bob Marquart ran into him at a Norfolk Tides baseball game. Leo was puttering around on a three-wheeled scooter, as Bob says, "about 60 pounds lighter and just lookin' good."
Bob adds that Leo still has some arm and leg issues, but he's "bouncing back strong." He's been on a few cruises with his wife and is now back to work full time at his bar, Dockers.
Leo attributes his recovery to obeying a strict therapy regimen. On behalf of all who know and love him, may I say that it's good to see Lieutenant Leary finally doing what he's told.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Don't let bigotry sink the ship
Every Navy Musicians Association reunion builds a stronger sense of friendship. In Memphis we wrote down each others' email addresses on NMA notepads and cocktail napkins, brought them home and updated our address books and mailing lists. Email is a great tool for keeping camaraderie alive.
Email is also a great tool for spreading racism and religious bigotry. Since the reunion some shipmates have started sending me jokes about encouraging Muslims to commit suicide, pickaninny jokes about a black presidential candidate and other such crap.
Please stop.
The NMA--like the USA--is white, black, conservative, liberal, Christian, Jew and None of the Above. Yet we in the NMA are blessed with something special and unifying, a history of service and a common bond of experience that draws us together.
Please, my shipmates, do not weaken that bond with bigotry and bias. Hate is corrosive, and rust can sink a ship.
It's a free country and you can send messages of division to whomever you want. But let me be clear: when you send such demeaning trash to me, you only demean yourself.
Please don't send me bigoted garbage. I don't want it.
Not in my inbox.
Not in my Navy.
Email is also a great tool for spreading racism and religious bigotry. Since the reunion some shipmates have started sending me jokes about encouraging Muslims to commit suicide, pickaninny jokes about a black presidential candidate and other such crap.
Please stop.
The NMA--like the USA--is white, black, conservative, liberal, Christian, Jew and None of the Above. Yet we in the NMA are blessed with something special and unifying, a history of service and a common bond of experience that draws us together.
Please, my shipmates, do not weaken that bond with bigotry and bias. Hate is corrosive, and rust can sink a ship.
It's a free country and you can send messages of division to whomever you want. But let me be clear: when you send such demeaning trash to me, you only demean yourself.
Please don't send me bigoted garbage. I don't want it.
Not in my inbox.
Not in my Navy.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
1986 - USS Blue Ridge visits Sydney, Australia
My old shipmates from the 7th Fleet Band will remember this party. The USS Blue Ridge joined ships of navies from around the world in the visit to Sydney, Australia, for the 75th Birthday Celebration of the Royal Australian Navy.
You'll see the manning of the rails and the doffing of covers while "hip-hip-hooraying" Prince Phillip during the massive nautical Pass in Review. The XO of the Blue Ridge made a training video of this maneuver that was broadcast endlessly continuously over the ship's closed-circuit TV station. The crew finally had the dialogue memorized and would greet each other in passageways saying, "Remove your cover and wave it in a clockwise motion," "Try to show some enthusiasm," and "Now, let's look at that from another angle."
You'll see the manning of the rails and the doffing of covers while "hip-hip-hooraying" Prince Phillip during the massive nautical Pass in Review. The XO of the Blue Ridge made a training video of this maneuver that was broadcast endlessly continuously over the ship's closed-circuit TV station. The crew finally had the dialogue memorized and would greet each other in passageways saying, "Remove your cover and wave it in a clockwise motion," "Try to show some enthusiasm," and "Now, let's look at that from another angle."
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Lexicon Update
I've updated the ever-popular Navy Musicians Lexicon. If you haven't been there in a while click here and refresh your vocabulary.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Importance of Navy Ratings
Four sailors stand on the deck arguing about the merits of their ratings.
"We hull technicians keep us afloat," says the first.
"Quartermasters get us where we're going," says the second.
As the disbursing clerk and electrician's mate join the fray, the ship hits an iceberg, sinks, and all hands are lost. In seconds, the four sailors find themselves standing on a cloud before the Pearly Gates.
"What's the problem?" St. Peter asks the unruly group.
"We can't agree on which Navy rating is the most important," answers the hull technician.
"That doesn't matter here," says St. Peter. "All are equally treasured in heaven."
The sailors grumble for a moment. The quartermaster finally says, "We're not coming in until we find out which is the most important rating."
"Very well," says St. Peter. He raises his arms wide and a dove descends from the skies carrying in its beak a glistening white paper. A harp glissando resounds as the dove lands on St. Peter's shoulder. The saint takes the sheet of paper and reads the message aloud:
FROM: THE ALMIGHTY.
TO: RECENT NAVAL ARRIVALS
SUBJ: RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF NAVY RATINGS
The Navy's mission depends on the effective integration of all its ratings. While some may require more rigorous training and hold its members to higher standards than others, all ratings are honored in heaven. Accept this and enjoy your eternal reward.
Sincerely,
GOD, MUCM, USN (Ret)
"We hull technicians keep us afloat," says the first.
"Quartermasters get us where we're going," says the second.
As the disbursing clerk and electrician's mate join the fray, the ship hits an iceberg, sinks, and all hands are lost. In seconds, the four sailors find themselves standing on a cloud before the Pearly Gates.
"What's the problem?" St. Peter asks the unruly group.
"We can't agree on which Navy rating is the most important," answers the hull technician.
"That doesn't matter here," says St. Peter. "All are equally treasured in heaven."
The sailors grumble for a moment. The quartermaster finally says, "We're not coming in until we find out which is the most important rating."
"Very well," says St. Peter. He raises his arms wide and a dove descends from the skies carrying in its beak a glistening white paper. A harp glissando resounds as the dove lands on St. Peter's shoulder. The saint takes the sheet of paper and reads the message aloud:
FROM: THE ALMIGHTY.
TO: RECENT NAVAL ARRIVALS
SUBJ: RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF NAVY RATINGS
The Navy's mission depends on the effective integration of all its ratings. While some may require more rigorous training and hold its members to higher standards than others, all ratings are honored in heaven. Accept this and enjoy your eternal reward.
Sincerely,
GOD, MUCM, USN (Ret)
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