While discussing the virtues of General Clark, a friend said Clark's resume was fairly routine, to which another friend responded, "Yeah, right -- everyone is a 4-star general."
So I went a Googlin' to find out just how many 4-star generals are walking the Earth. I found unexpected treasure:
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Star-Spangled Guitar
Gratitude for a great country.
By Peter Pupping
guitarsite.com
I am a full-time performing guitarist. I play classical, jazz, Latin, and acoustic contemporary guitar, and am invited frequently to play for parties, conventions, weddings, etc. At a recent performance I was invited to play at Mrs. Audrey Cage's home. Mrs. Cage was hosting a party in honor of her late husband, a World War II general. Her guests included three four-star generals and other high-ranking officers from World War II, as well as the wife of famed astronaut James Lovell (Apollo 13). I was hired to play background music and didn't expect to get noticed.
Two hours prior to arriving at Mrs. Cage's home, I received a phone call from Mrs. Cage. She asked me if I would work up a rendition of the Marine Corps Hymn. I was amused, and quietly thought to myself that playing the Marine Corps Hymn on guitar was almost satirical if not downright hilarious. I imagined all the times these four-star generals heard this hymn in full regalia, as performed by the United States Marine Corps Band. I asked Mrs. Cage if she thought it appropriate, and she insisted that I perform the piece.
Upon arriving I set up in a corner and expected the usual background routine (play nice music — and not too loud, so people can talk). Into my first hour a touching encounter began to develop. Each one of the big-brass generals made their way over to my corner and sat next to me and engaged me in conversation. They took a real interest in the music I was playing and asked me some thoughtful questions. They were kind, interesting, and sincere. Not at all what I expected.
As the conversations ended, my thoughts took me to World War II. I'm an immigrant from the Netherlands, and all the eyewitness stories I heard from my grandparents and parents were coming back to me. I realized I was sitting in the same room with the military leaders who were part of the Allies that liberated my native country, Holland. I was touched by the sense of humanity in the hearts of these generals. I was keenly aware of their self-sacrifice. My God! If it weren't for the likes of these men I may never have existed, as my parents suffered greatly and almost starved to death under Nazi occupation.
My number had come up, and Mrs. Cage asked me to perform the Marine Corps Hymn. By this time, I was already internally choked up; I weighed my thoughts, and realized that an opportunity to thank these men was upon me. I stood up and shared my grandparents' and parents' story, and thanked them for saving my family and countrymen. I was overcome with emotion.
I sat down to play the Marine Corps Hymn and something very moving transpired. As I began the first few bars of the famed hymn, all the generals and officers in the room shot up to attention in full salute. Tears flowed down my cheeks, as I prayed to God to be able to finish the hymn. There was no satire in the moment at all, and the instrument I love, the guitar, served as a vehicle to thank a few good men for the freedom I enjoy.
Peter Pupping
peter@guitarsounds.com
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Thank you, Peter!
ig |
