DieselDave
Super Moderator,
I went to a performance of the Marine Corps Band, The Presidents Own and the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team tonight for a 9-11 tribute and remembrance. I have seen the performance several times and it still sends chills up my spine. I you ever get a chance to see them perform don't miss it. It's free but I would be happy to pay, they are amazing. Those of you that have seen it know what I mean. Even if you don't have a patriotic bone in your body you will still enjoy the show. The precision, spit and polish alone is enough to make it worth a trip. I hope to post some photos tomorrow but they don't do it anything close to justice.
It was extra special for me. The Master of Ceremonies was one of my old C.O.'s who's now a full Col. When he was XO of the squadron the CO who was a fun loving fellow would make us play golf once a week. The CO, XO, Ops-O and me would head to the course about 1500 and run through 18 holes of golf before dark. We might have a drink or two or six during the round and often ended up at the O-Club to keep the party going. Man oh man those were the days, shore duty at it's best in the training command
The Keynote speaker was General Nyland, Asst. Commandant of the Marine Corps. I had the honor of tipping back a few beers with him on several occasions back when he was a Col. in my Wing and he was truly one of the "Bubbas" Probably part of the reason he made it to 4 stars, he's one of the good guys. Seeing him as a 4 star General made me proud.
His office was 150' away from where the aircraft struck the Pentagon. He was down the passageway at the time. His office burned but no one on his staff was killed. In his speech he paid tribute to all that died, their families and the responders. He told us that some of the firefighters were pulling off their jackets and writing their name and SSN on their t-shirts before going in. They did this so that their bodies could be more easily identified in case they were killed. He was amazed at the selfless bravery of all the responders, fire, police, paramedics, military and civilians.
Just before the ceremony started and the Col. was standing at the podium looking nervously over 8,000+ people I couldn't stop myself from breaking the dead silence by hollering out "Cuuubbbbbyyyyy" (Cubby) Cubby is his call sign. His former call sign was "Bear" until one day about 10-12 years back. He was giving a brief to a group of Gen.'s at the Pentagon when one of them asked, "What's your call sign" to which he replied, "Bear". The General laughed at the 5'6" Major and said, "Bear huh, you look more like a cub". Well it stuck and from that day forward his call sign has been Cubby. It worked; he looked down, shook his head then looked at me 30 rows up with a big grin on his face. He then started off the ceremony by introducing himself as Col. Dave "Cubby" Bar...(ending left off for privacy but now you can see why he had the call sign "Bear") with the emphasis on Cubby and a smile in my direction. The audience applauded and so began the show. What a night.
I will always remember 9-11, where I was and how I felt. I will never know the loss so many families felt and continue to endure but our thoughts and prayers are with you.
It was extra special for me. The Master of Ceremonies was one of my old C.O.'s who's now a full Col. When he was XO of the squadron the CO who was a fun loving fellow would make us play golf once a week. The CO, XO, Ops-O and me would head to the course about 1500 and run through 18 holes of golf before dark. We might have a drink or two or six during the round and often ended up at the O-Club to keep the party going. Man oh man those were the days, shore duty at it's best in the training command
The Keynote speaker was General Nyland, Asst. Commandant of the Marine Corps. I had the honor of tipping back a few beers with him on several occasions back when he was a Col. in my Wing and he was truly one of the "Bubbas" Probably part of the reason he made it to 4 stars, he's one of the good guys. Seeing him as a 4 star General made me proud.
His office was 150' away from where the aircraft struck the Pentagon. He was down the passageway at the time. His office burned but no one on his staff was killed. In his speech he paid tribute to all that died, their families and the responders. He told us that some of the firefighters were pulling off their jackets and writing their name and SSN on their t-shirts before going in. They did this so that their bodies could be more easily identified in case they were killed. He was amazed at the selfless bravery of all the responders, fire, police, paramedics, military and civilians.
Just before the ceremony started and the Col. was standing at the podium looking nervously over 8,000+ people I couldn't stop myself from breaking the dead silence by hollering out "Cuuubbbbbyyyyy" (Cubby) Cubby is his call sign. His former call sign was "Bear" until one day about 10-12 years back. He was giving a brief to a group of Gen.'s at the Pentagon when one of them asked, "What's your call sign" to which he replied, "Bear". The General laughed at the 5'6" Major and said, "Bear huh, you look more like a cub". Well it stuck and from that day forward his call sign has been Cubby. It worked; he looked down, shook his head then looked at me 30 rows up with a big grin on his face. He then started off the ceremony by introducing himself as Col. Dave "Cubby" Bar...(ending left off for privacy but now you can see why he had the call sign "Bear") with the emphasis on Cubby and a smile in my direction. The audience applauded and so began the show. What a night.
I will always remember 9-11, where I was and how I felt. I will never know the loss so many families felt and continue to endure but our thoughts and prayers are with you.
