Army Bandsman

[reedo35]

I know there are a few military musicians on this board. The wife of a friend of of mine wrote this for him when he retired. I think it's a great answer for the people that ask, "So, do you band guys just play all day?"

The ARMY BANDSMAN
I am an Army Bandsman.
I run my own unit.
From Supply to Admin to Training, from CQ to Public Relations.
I arrange travel; I coordinate concerts; I take inventory; I shovel snow.
There is no secretary or night watchman or landscaper or janitor.
I do it all.
I am available 24/7.
I can be at Physical training at 0400 in the morning.
I can get back from a gig after midnight.
I play many Friday night dances, Saturday parades, & Sunday concerts.
I can travel across the country or across the world.
I’ll take a “comp” day whenever it comes.
I’ll likely miss the birthday party, the ballet recital, the soccer tournament.
Maybe even my own anniversary dinner.
But I’ll always be there to grieve the passing of a veteran;
To celebrate the promotion of an officer;
Or the graduation of a cadet,
Even though I don’t know him or her.
I can MC.
I can conduct.
I can arrange.
I can compose.
I can run the sound board.
I can load my own equipment into a deuce-and-a-half truck and drive it.
Then drive back and unload it.
And play, can I play!

I can play jazz & Dixieland.
I can play classic rock & pop hits.
I can play country, even though I don’t like it.
I can play classical.
Of course, I can play patriotic ballads.
I play what you want to hear.
I play for the President.
I play for the masses.
I play for students.
I play for fellow soldiers.
I play for the elderly.
When there are more people in the band than in the audience, I play.
It doesn’t matter. I always play my best.
I play in fields, at zoos, in malls, & at the beach.
I play in gardens, at castles, & in the street.
I play on ship decks, in airplane hangars, & in a subway station.
I play where you are.
I’ve called “home” places you’ll never go...
strange lands, tour buses, substandard housing, dusty foxholes.
I am a sensitive creative artist.
I am a strong disciplined warrior.
I am an Army Bandsman.

By Linda Mercado
For MSG Marcos F. Mercado
On his military retirement
1 November 2007