Stateside Duty

I imagine that band duty here in the states now is not that different from my stateside experience, except that the starting pay is surely somewhat higher than the $78 per month that I earned as an E-1. And surely by now the WWII "temporary barracks" that were still in use in 1968 must be long gone. Oh, yes...there is also the matter of women in the band: I don't seem to remember any. [Click on the thumbnails for larger images.]

	Ft. Polk was a basic training facility as well as an infantry training center ("Tiger Land") designed specifically for Viet Nam. This photo of the 60th Army Band was published in the basic training "yearbook". The 60th was formerly the 4th Cavalry Band--honored by a march written by John Philip Sousa. To hear that march, which includes an unusual tag phrase at the end, click on Riders for the Flag. (With permission. playing time 2:19). We did graduation ceremonies every other Saturday, alternating with the 56th Army Band. The 56th was located at North Ft. Polk; we were at South Ft. Polk. Guess I've been a southerner forever.
	WWII "temporary" barracks. Twenty-five years old in 1965. No insulation or even interior walls.
	The band didn't pull KP. That was the good thing about this mess hall. The only good thing. Got my first taste of green coffee here.
	I don't think I had any idea that this yard work was just the beginning of a virtual part-time career in lawn and grass care.
	Seven guys. Some of them are G.Smith, Morales (about to pour the butt can on G.Smith), Ray Radzienda, Villareal. Foreground: bought that bike for $3 at the resale shop.
	Ray Radzienda. He later went to Viet Nam in the 25th Infantry Division. Corwin "Corky" Caldwell. Six months after I arrived at 1st Division in Viet Nam, Caldwell showed up there, too! Larry Allen. Never left the states. Saw him three years later at a Howard Johnson's restaurant in Baton Rouge, but not since.
	An impromptu Dixieland group at the Ft. Polk Service Club. That's me on the right.
	Night job. Fifty cents an hour. Three hours a night. Guys could come in and check out a guitar, bass, sax, or other musical instrument. I filled in wherever I was needed. Would-be drummer; could-be electric bass; should-be piano.
	Sgt. John Call. He appreciated the army for what it did for him. Paid him a salary for playing trombone, something he believed he could never have in civilian life. Click here to see Ft. Polk today... or here for Ft. Polk History

	Three guys. It was an airborne unit, but we didn't have to jump. Whew!
	Black & white film (OK, I added the sepia tint to make it look old. Wait a minute. It is old!) An RA, two draftees, and a lifer.
	Of course, my army career would be closed out much as it started. Yard work. In this case, the 440th Army Band maintained the baseball fields.
	Saturday. In the park. I think it was the Fourth of July.
	THAD'S Hot Dogs Steamed in Beer. What? They serve hot dogs?
	Some of the guys in the band couldn't get enough, even jamming at the Company picnic.
	Night performance. Somebody was leaving Ft. Bragg, going somewhere, and it was important. That's all we needed to know. Oh yeah, and that no cameras were allowed. Oops.
		440th Army Band, Fall 1954, courtesy of Al Graps, who served 1952-1955 with: MSgt Bill Malambri, WO-4 "Snuffy" Smith, Sgt Jim Larkin, Al Gader, Rudy Lamone, Rhew Prince, Lloyd Lily, Howie Shoemaker, Ab Wilson, Bob Berger, Jack Frank, Rich Adamski, Freddy McCoy, Jim Seals, Jim Smith, Zeke Brooks