The White House, in my home town

The White House, in my home town

Indeed folks… I’m from D.C. Jack and I both… I drove my son Zach home to Arlington after his Xmas break and Vanessa and I brought Izze, Montana and Marcus along for the road trip. Yep, we stopped at the White house after a trip to the Smithsonian Aerospace Museum.

My dream as a kid... foto by Vanessa

My dream as a kid... foto by Vanessa

Yeah… Starting in the very early 50’s, I went to the museum at least once a week.

DC-3... or C-47 Dakota

DC-3... or C-47 Dakota

I flew in one of these babies in 1962 into Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. What a memory!

The Spirit Of St. Louis

The Spirit Of St. Louis

I remember seeing this beauty in 1951… what an adventure!

Thie kids in front of an American Dream!

Thie kids in front of an American Dream!

Hmm… what happened to national adventure?

American Iron

American Iron

At least the police are still riding Harleys in the District Of Columbia!

Yeah... me and my buddy

Yeah... me and my buddy

Strong family resemblance indeed.

The missing link... me

The missing link... me

Way too much fun… way too much fun!

What a day… more tomorrow.


Comments

  1. Comment made on January 18, 2013 by George

    By the bye… Another person to read is another Ateneo graduate, Ambeth Ocampo. He writes a weekly history op-ed [unfortunately, I can’t name a US paper that would print such a thing !] for the Inquirer, and some books of his collected works. He tells in history in a very unusual style: he picks on old, trivial memorabilia he finds in museum archives – the stuff no one really wants, but can’t quite throw away – to re-create, or try to interpret, the past; a sort of Philippine Proust. [For example, Jose Rizal’s customs declarations, upon return from China to the newly “freed” Philippine Republic, stored at the Nat’l Museum…] I’m at an age where I appreciate a new way to look at the odd item in the attic or storage box. Peace.

  2. Comment made on January 18, 2013 by George

    Glad you remember it well. I lived there working on marine and forestry conservation projects ’86-’90 in the Peace Corps, and return often [helped design their “green court” system, and other projects for USAID]. One of my close friends is an Ateneo grad [H.S. through Law School], and now their Director of the Bureau of Fisheries, working hard to try and save the marine parks and resources. [Google up “Asis Perez”.] I know Karnow’s book, and served there with one of his research assistants, too. An amazing history, and place to see both their country [several countries, really] and ourselves and American history “through the glass darkly”. I recall just a couple years ago explaining to a U.S. Attorney the history of their laws and colonial status, and got a blank look back: “America never had any colonies.” Be cool to hear some stories you’d recall from your [and your father’s] time there. (Failing that, take a stab at a Joey Ayala [Mindanao folk artist] song next time you play in Honolulu.] I’m going out to play on the lanai now 🙂 Aloha ! and Mabuhay to you & yours.

  3. Comment made on January 16, 2013 by Mike Anderson

    Wow, what memories came flooding back, I spent 1970 – 73 at Bladensburg Sr. High School, spent many “school hours” exploring D.C. summer afternoons at the Univ. of Md, College Park at free concerts. Family racing horses at Laurel, Bowie, Pimilico, Upper Marlboro and Timonium. School bus ride home in spring of 72, on Rt. 1 in Laurel, stopped at a light for an ambulance coming in opposite direction and found myself in a locked gaze with Geiorge Wallace on his way to the hospital after being shot in a shopping plaza not more tha 1/4 mile from our home in Laurel, MD.
    Historic times in D.C. then, got my draft card in Hyattsville, MD, went to the protests in D.C. and ended up in the military anyway. Worked for McGovern cause I thought Nixon couldn’t get us out of Vietnam. Ahh, to be that teen again and know everything about everything, now it’s all about what I don’t know that fascinates me and drives my quest for more knowledge. Happy New Year Jorma and thanks for sending me back down memory lane, it was a wonderful visit that I need to make more often.

  4. Comment made on January 14, 2013 by Bob Lahey

    A few things
    First of all- what a great name for an album “-the Missing Link”. BTW-We all kinda look like that too!
    Second- Jorma never really dyed his hair,I’m sure it was dietary in nature
    Third-Thank you for your interest in sharing your extraordinary take and wonderful life experiences. Win- win
    May _OD always bless you and your family.
    I will pick up my Martin Guitar tonight and practice in your honor.

  5. Comment made on January 11, 2013 by johno

    Eddie G – you gotta do it. I took my little guy and family, down and did the( in-sync) jamestown, williamsburg, washington run about 10 years ago. it was THE BEST American history lesson ever. Makes you realize what our forefathers all did to come here to form our country – AMERICA.(gettin teary)

    Jorma and Vanessa – nice pics – never get me up in a DC-3. And Jorma, you really do look like just like the MISSING LINK

  6. Comment made on January 11, 2013 by Todd E

    The morning after the ’89 Airplane reunion show at nearby Merriweather Post Pavilion, my buddy and I went to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum — and ran into Marty Balin in front of the museum. We chatted for a few minutes, and he was very gracious about teaching photos with us.

  7. Comment made on January 9, 2013 by Joe in DC

    Excellent Jorma and Hot Tuna for announcing electric tuna shows in Harrisburg and Stroudsberg PA this July. Will be a great follow up to the acoustic shows this June in VA and MD… I have been going to the Sherman now in Stroudsberg a couple of summers …great venue for tuna…so much too look forward to………..

  8. Comment made on January 8, 2013 by John B

    Five years ago i took my teenage son Paul to see Jorma in a small South Jersey town named Elmer. Before the show started we were standing in the lobby talking when i felt someone tap me on the shoulder . I turned around and this guy said to me “Cherry Hill Centrum 1976 ; You were there weren’t you.” “I remember you dude” he said. And i was there ! Cherry Hill Was about 30 miles or so from Elmer.Was Jack playing the flying V bass back then? Can’t quite remember. I do remember that there was a guy standing right next to us that felt to encumbered by his clothes that he decided to take them all off! My son looked at me and asked if i had really been to that show and i said “yes indeed i was ; and many many more”

  9. Comment made on January 6, 2013 by chuck newman

    Hoping for a New Year where we lose no musical friends and lovers. Perhaps the five finest minds in music will even get together to write not about yesterday but today. I hope it happens. Peace.

  10. Comment made on January 6, 2013 by Jim T.

    DC is a facinating place to visit!! So much to see,so much history!! Happy New Year Jorma and family!

  11. Comment made on January 5, 2013 by Hamneggs

    I’m so glad to see you still with Airplane and “stoners”.
    Peace Love All Ways

  12. Comment made on January 5, 2013 by Rich R

    Thanks, Bob, we were there too and have been waiting for this since.

  13. Comment made on January 5, 2013 by Bob Kelly

    Happy New years one and all,, good health. and peace our wishes to everyone.. So Im not sure if this is the place to ‘plug’ some great Music.. but.. over on Itunes Hot Tuna has released a great show.. Jorma and jack from Hiro Ballroom 4/23/11… I had the pleasure to catch this outstanding performance.. A real cool little venue tucked away on Manhattans West side,, A rare performance of Acoustic Jorma and Jack.. the recording is pristine,, a real fine setlist.. The”original” Hot Tuna.. love this format and in a cozy place with great sound.. thanks and double thanks Jorma for putting this show out there..and thanks kids for the Itunes gift card..

  14. Comment made on January 4, 2013 by John B

    Anyone remember when Jorma colored his hair orange?

  15. Comment made on January 4, 2013 by Kate Sullivan

    Hmmmmm………….I must get back to DC. I don’t know if you can actually have a favorite Memorial but the two that stick in my head are the FDR and World War II Memorials. During my first visit to the Vietnam Memorial (late 80’s??), I completely lost it. I noticed stationed veterans “on guard” ready to console me but I managed to put on my game face when I saw them approaching. My brother came back safe in 1968 4 months after Tet, although still not sure how sound. He will be making his first visit back to Nam in February along with one of my sisters on a Marine Corps Tour. BTW, love the Aerospace Museum, it’s fabulous. Interesting missing link Jorma. 🙂

  16. Comment made on January 4, 2013 by jim hitchcock

    Once a week! The Aerospace museum and the the Gallapagos are the 2 things on my bucket list.

  17. Comment made on January 4, 2013 by Joanne

    What a wonderful trip Jorma and that picture is too funny! I brought my children to the Smithsonian Museums many times and just love them…my favorite was always the Natural History one and love the Freer Gallery of Art too.My family is in Annapolis,MD.My dad was a Navy man long ago.
    Have lots of fun!!I am heading back home this week to visit my Mom and going to DC too!

  18. Comment made on January 4, 2013 by George

    Few people know of, much less have been to Jolo, or have any thoughts or memories of the Philippines other than “terrorists”, “natural disasters”, or the old US bases and the related social ills. I wouldn’t have guessed ! Must have been something back to see then; I only travelled through Mindanao starting in the late 80’s. Hopefully you have some memories along the way of the musicians there, from traditional instrumentalists, to the spot-on bluegrass and country players from Bacolod to Baguio. Happy New Year to you and yours – Mabuhay !

    • Comment made on January 6, 2013 by Jorma

      Hey George…

      My Dad was was stationed in the PI (Philippine Islands… now the RP… Republic of the Philippines.) from 1956 to 1962. I went to high school there… I put a year of college in there at the Ateneo de Manila… and in many respects, I started to grow up there. Check out Stanley Karnow’s ‘In Our Image,’ the story of the US in the PI from 1898… the Spanish American War. I love the Philippines… I still have many friends there I keep in touch with and someday before it’s too late, I hope to go back.

      Mabuhay indeed brother!

  19. Comment made on January 4, 2013 by Joe in DC

    Not only do the police drive “American Fe” in DC they pack it as well……

  20. Comment made on January 4, 2013 by eaglesteve

    What an uncanny similarity in those brows!

  21. Comment made on January 3, 2013 by Walt Hetfield

    I remember going to the Aerospace museum when I was in second grade. At that time (1967) the astronauts were my big heroes and to see the real stuff up close – what an impression that made on me. Seeing the real Spirit of St. Louis too, what a thrill for a seven year old boy. I was just talking to some students today – about how Lindbergh stayed up for 33 hours in what was essentially an engine and gas tank with wings. Eighty five years ago it was. Back then (in the pre-terror era) you waited in line to go into the White House – no metal detectors or anything! LBJ was home, we were told then and to act accordingly.

  22. Comment made on January 3, 2013 by NCSteve

    The wifey and I spent an October weekend in DC, attending a Woody Guthrie lecture and concert. Romancing at the Library of College! Cool, man. Hope to cross paths with you in NCarolina or upstate New York some time. Missed you by a week in Sullivan Co. a couple of years ago. My loss. “In this world I’m livin’ in, / I see the light . . .”

  23. Comment made on January 3, 2013 by cyndy consentino

    Dear Jorma,
    What a great trip to go on with your kids and friends! Even more special that it is in your home town!

    Have a great time,

    Cyndy

  24. Comment made on January 3, 2013 by Eddie Wilkowski

    Looks a great time.Haven’t been there in forty years. Got to get my little guy down there. He’ll love it.

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