A Marine's Funeral

Yesterday I attended a funeral. There was a Marine Honor Guard, a 21 Gun Salute, and Taps was played on a bugle. This was not a Marine who died in Iraq. He was 83 years old. His name was Matthew Monk. He was a WW2 and Korean War veteran. He was a POW in Japan. He was a Father and a Grandfather. He was Sharon's father. I never met Mr. Monk, but I felt I knew him. He had followed along the same path as my father. Both had worked in the Civilian Conservation Corp, and both had left their youth behind on a WW2 battlefield. We must remember these troops also. It is so easy to say we support the troops. This has become just a passe term for political crap these days. Most of our old Vets are in the ground now. New war veterans are created by the minute. Debts that can never be repaid. Families left with empty sorrow. Mr. Monk left behind a family with something to reflect on. Something we all should reflect on. Way beyond 911, and way beyond the shores of America. Thank You Mr. Monk.

Putting The Who Back in the Box

MY CD




I had a recent conversation with a friend. He is also a Doctor. We were talking about things we hold dear for our entire life, and the things that come and go. He brought up The Who in this conversation. We talked about how Pete Townshend had put so much out on the Internet to his fans and friends. I came to the realization that I missed the place in my memory that The Who have always held. That this "Over Exposure" to Townshend and his life, had diminished the memory that I had kept in this little box in my head. I felt sad. I felt I could never put Pete and The Who back in that little box. Some time passed and I drew back from posting comments on his girlfriend's blog. I stopped reading his Web Site. I had grown tired of all the marketing of everything Who and Townshend related. So I retreated to the things I had always loved about the band, and a miracle happened. The Who went back in the little box. I reflect back on the days now, and stay away from the rest. Yes I visit once in a while, but remain strong in the fact that no matter how they show up, no matter what they call themselves, no matter what girlfriend they have. They will always be Pete, Roger, John, and Keith. The other players come and go. Not one of the other players is a pioneer, nor an Icon. Just lovers and other talented musicians. My first wife told me once, that if Pete put out an Album of burps and farts, I would buy it and rave on about how great it is. I used to believe that was true, but time has proved her wrong. Make no mistake, this is not in anyway putting down any of those people. Nor is it anything against their efforts to share their wares and market them. It is simple. It is me. The real me. Can you see?

LOVE JOSEPH