I’m sending a message to Bill in the form of a member blog post.
I was nearly moved to tears hearing Bill Whittle’s story about his father’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery. I was further struck when he said that when the US Army Band played its first few chords, that simply blew all the crud off of his life (I read as soul…). That moment played a pivotal moment in his life. I am an Army musician. While I don’t play in the band in D.C., I am one of the hundreds of dedicated Army musicians serving all over the world. I am a trumpet player and have sounded taps at cemeteries all over the country (Arlington would be a supreme honor).
We often have to justify our existence. “Why does the Army need a band??” Your testimony, Bill, is EXACTLY why we need a band (lots of bands around the world). The Army needs music because the Army has a soul. Our country has a soul.
I basically want to say thank you. Thank you Bill for that affirmation. We can often get bogged down in the drudgery of everyday Soldiering. I personally wonder if anyone is even listening at times. The impact we have rarely makes it back to us. Restoring the souls of the warfighter, restoring the souls of our military families, blowing the crud off of people’s lives… that’s MY job. {“success”:false,”data”:”It appears this file is already present in your media library as post 67052!”}
12 replies on “Bill, that’s MY job…”
I was a band geek in high school. In fact, I was the drum major which made me head band geek. I also played trumpet in high school and college. Miss the friendship and camaraderie. Also have plenty of stories that start, “One time. At band camp…” LOL.
Thank you so so much for your service. It means a lot. Maybe not so much to the troops when you’re playing “Reveille,” at some God-awful morning hour, but it most definitely does!
I also was a band geek. Played trumpet. My second year at band camp I had the “honor” of playing “Reveille” every morning and “Taps” at night for two weeks over the PA system.That meant I got up early and went to bed late. Yes, I did consider it an honor. Just proves how really geeky I was. And yes, I have “One time at band camp” stories. But I just told you one.
LOL. Thanks for sharing. Ours was out in the middle of nowhere and we had our own cabins (boys in some; girls in the others). What could go wrong? We had a TON of laughs and fun. It was just awesome.
Our camp was across the road from Fort Knox KY. (The closest building probably was over a mile away.) We heard the cannon go off at 6:00 am. We were up at 5:30. I was up at 5:00 when doing “Reveille” Imagine that. I was up before they were. Closest to being in the military I ever got. The Vietnam war was over before I graduated College. Almost enlisted, but just didnt.
Sounds like we have the making of a BW.com Trumpet Trio! I certainly appreciate the encouragement.
I was 1st chair clarinet in the 25th Division Band in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, 1970-72. I agree completely!
That’s awesome! Was the band located in one of the quads while you were there? Tropic Lightning! Strike Hard!
Well said!
Great post.
As a former musician, if I could rate this an 11, rather than 5*, i would. Music bonds the world.
I would expect nothing less from Duke Silver!
I appreciate that. Tonight was a Lag 8 night!
In all honesty, I sing with the local symphony. Each summer we do a show that includes an armed forces medley. Always brings down the house with tears!
It’s been a long time since I played in a symphony. I miss it.