Army Bandsman's response to Walter Pincus

[greatk82]

This is an Army approved blog from SFC Josh Distefano. He is a the piano player with the SHAPE NATO Band in Belgium. He was my squad leader and audio NCOIC during my first tour in Iraq. I don't think this issue can be better addressed then this: http://www.musicianwages.com/musician-p ... -of-money/

[TubaBobH]

SFC Josh Distefano makes a very powerful, moving and convincing argument. Thank you for providing a link to his blog posting.

[skeath]

Very well put. It is difficult for people who have not been in the military to understand this issue, although many members of this board have playing experiences that give them some commonality with military musicians. After all, playing under difficult conditions, for low pay, while trying to engage the audience, is something most musicians have done.

Perhaps not as common: playing a posthumous Medal of Honor awards ceremony, or playing a concert in a jungle village, fully armed, surrounded by unknown (Viet Cong?) paramilitary troops (who were not invited).

I would not trade for the experiences I had.

The work we did was important, and that pinhead journalist needs some education.

SK

[Mojo workin']

Perhaps Mr. Pincus could look to such outrageous embarrassments perpetrated by the government as stimulus checks (to the tune of millions of dollars) being sent to dead people and prisoners, as a source for a waste of tax payers' money. Or a whole host of other wasteful spending of the $700 billion that was flushed down the toilet. What a completely out of touch moron and ignoramus.

[Toad Away]

Perhaps Mr. Pincus could look to such outrageous embarrassments perpetrated by the government as stimulus checks (to the tune of millions of dollars) being sent to dead people and prisoners, as a source for a waste of tax payers' money. Or a whole host of other wasteful spending of the $700 billion that was flushed down the toilet. What a completely out of touch moron and ignoramus.

Excellent !!

Enjoyed reading the blog.
Best wishes to all,
Tim Loehr
U.S. Armed Forces Bicentennial Band (1975-1976)
Retired princ. tuba and section leader, U.S. Army Field Band

[joh_tuba]

http://www.stripes.com/news/1st-ad-band ... aq-1.69210