Tuba in Afghanistan

[Dan Schultz]

I've seen a couple of new clips yesterday and today about The President's trip to Afghanistan that show a shot of a soldier holding a tuba. Is it anyone on this forum?

[David Richoux]

Possibly Google is your friend?
L.A. Times article

Cpl. Adam Miller, 20, remembers how he and other students were hustled into the middle-school gym in Mason, Mich., to watch the breaking news on television on Sept. 11.

He’s a tuba player in the 1st Marine Division band. In Afghanistan, he’ll be a guard, shifting duties from musical to tactical.

“This is my new instrument,” said Miller, patting his M-16.

The 1st is deployed to Afghanistan as of March 20th, and 13 members of the the band are there as well (but I don't know if they brought their instruments.) there is some historical detail and video here.
There have been several US Army bands in Afghanistan over the years, but I cannot find any current info.

Here is a poor screen shot:

Tuba in Afganistan.jpg

[Badgley]

I can be 99.9% sure that the band members you saw were members of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division Band as they currently sationed at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. They have four tuba players assigned to their band I know for sure that at least two of them are over there now, possibly all four. They are Jeff Harper, Richard Haskins, Kyle Kennedy and Kevin Guthrie. I personally know three out of these four so if a better picture or screen shot were available I could let you know exactly who it was you saw.
Either way, it is always a pretty cool oppetunity when you are able to play for the President as part of such a high-profile media event. I know that when President Obama came to Iraq last April and I was able to sit only a few feet away from him and shake his hand after his speech was a moment I won't forget anytime soon.

[Master Sergeant Tuba]

Brian is correct - sorry for the late reply. Getting everyone back from Afghanistan and having our building (and all our equipment ) burn down also put us behind the Curve. Jeff, Rich, Kyle and Kevin were the four we had for our year in Afghanistan. Everyone made it home safe and we are headed our seperate ways. I am retiring this month after 24 years in and have to say I really enjoyed this career. From being the Soldier posted at Checkpoint Charlie to taking a unit to war with the 82nd Airborne Division, I have enjoyed serving with so many people and seeing so very much of the world. All the best to those of you still in the military. Keep your heads down and your bells high!

Jeff

[Master Sergeant Tuba]

Oh, that was rich in the picture. He's staying at Bragg for a while.

[Chuck Jackson]

I am retiring this month after 24 years in and have to say I really enjoyed this career.

Jeff,

You were a good kid then and have been a great soldier. I hope you enjoy the rest of your life, you deserve it.

Chuck

[Master Sergeant Tuba]

Chuck,

~ As an update, things are fantastic so far even with snow all the way to the water's edge. I just had some oral surgery but should be back to playing by February. Thank you for the kind remarks. I had many fantastic examples to follow.

[awaters]

Many Thanks for your service. Great players and brave people!

[ppalan]

I don't know any of you guys but I want to say thanks for what you have done and continue to do for our country. Several of my relatives are deployed in Afghanistan now and others have served in the past. I put together a short Youtube video to wish them a happy and safe Christmas. The music was recorded live at a concert my band, the Philadelphia German Brass Band, played in Bethany Beach, DE in July. Again, thanks for all you have done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f1aCoNh228" target="_blank" target="_blank

[Chuck Jackson]

Chuck,

~ As an update, things are fantastic so far even with snow all the way to the water's edge. I just had some oral surgery but should be back to playing by February. Thank you for the kind remarks. I had many fantastic examples to follow.

Hey Jeff,
My Mother-in-Law, who is from Norfolk, is here visiting and has been glued to the Weather Channel, and was gleeful that she was here instead of there. I can remember some bad snow storms, but no that close to Christmas. I trust you are enjoying retirement. Haskins was one of mine from the SOM. Glad to see he made a career of it. I am humbled that I had the extreme good fortune to work with such great people for my 4 years there, as I am humbled by your dedication to an institution that gave me the opportunity to make something out of my life. I will be in town this summer between conducting engagements. I hope we can sit down and share some stories. Have Peace.

Chuck

[Master Sergeant Tuba]

Chuck,

Rich is a very strong leader and a solid player these days. Word has it that he might be a grandfather soon, too.I would not be surprised to see him make MSG one of these days. He stood in as 1SG for the 82nd before I arrived and did very well.

Retirement is fantastic. Not sure whether the next step is PhD, a new career or both. Supporting my wife's career is plenty for me right now.

Please drop me a line when you are in town. I'd love to get together. If not here, you can hunt me down on Facebook.

Jeff

[Master Sergeant Tuba]

I don't know any of you guys but I want to say thanks for what you have done and continue to do for our country. Several of my relatives are deployed in Afghanistan now and others have served in the past. I put together a short Youtube video to wish them a happy and safe Christmas. The music was recorded live at a concert my band, the Philadelphia German Brass Band, played in Bethany Beach, DE in July. Again, thanks for all you have done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f1aCoNh228" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Thanks so much for your support. I truly hope good things come from your family's efforts and that they all return home swiftly and safely.

There are guys and gals right now out there putting music, patriotism and compassion for their fellow human beings above their own safety. Let's hope they all come home safely, even the Sax players.

Happy New Year, low brass friends.

[Chuck Jackson]

Let's hope they all come home safely, even the Sax players.

Really, even the sax players, do we have to? Next thing you know, viola players will be welcome at musicians parties.

Chuck" the line has to be drawn somewhere"Jackson