In addition to everything else, I am the conductor of our regional Shrine Band here in southwest Missouri. We play several community concerts during the year: Memorial Day at the gazebo at the National Cemetery, community and regional parades, including Veterans' Day, and the two or three "Honor Flights" that occur during the year. What is an "Honor Flight"? Please let me explain.
Link: http://www.honorflightoftheozarks.org/
This organization sponsors veterans on day flights out and back to Washington, DC from Springfield, MO to see the war memorials. The organization started a few years ago with WWII veterans, and are gradually working forward.
The regional Shrine Band invites players from the regional community bands to join us to play a short concert for the reception before the plane lands, and then we play our National Anthem and the service anthems as the veterans deplane and proceed through the terminal through the enthusiastic reception. Many other civic, law enforcement, rolling thunder, the Coast Guard detachment from the navigable lakes south of us, JrROTC, Scouts, and other well-wishers always attend to give these veterans the reception that some of them never had when returning home from service.
On this particular flight tonight, our state Governor attended. As I saw him in the terminal, I mentioned to his aide that I would be happy to introduce him to the members of the band. As I was conducting, all of a sudden I felt a hand and arm around my shoulder as he gave me a big hug in appreciation of our playing for the benefit of the veterans. I turned around, greeted and thanked him, and he then proceeded down the corridor. Thankfully, we were playing a march that the band continued for those few seconds while I greeted the Governor and thanked him.
Most of my family served in the various branches of service. I did not, due to accident of birth with the timing of the end of the draft, only child, health conditions that would have disqualified me, etc. But that does not matter. When I was in high school, the commander of the local VFW post would come to the high school and ask for me by name to come play taps for military funerals. I had the knack of finding the echo in all these rural small cemeteries that were surrounded by hills. I have also played for Civil War re-enactments and other occasions.
I strive always to conduct myself in this manner: not all of us were called to wear a uniform. But we are all called to honor those that do. So playing and conducting is how I can do that. I never expect a thanks or a recognition, because returning the thanks is the least I can do. But on the rare occasion that someone does thank me, I am most appreciative. So imagine how I feel this evening getting a hug from our state Governor!!!
Oh - I forgot - our Governor is a Navy SEAL and a Rhodes Scholar. Thanks for the bandwidth.