Morning mist...
Driving back to Hillside Farm from town the other morning, the mist over the cemetery on the hill looked picture friendly… so I stopped for a moment and snapped a couple. I love this this spot. There is a gravestone there of an American WWII veteran who was killed in the waning days of that war… still in his late teens on that bit of granite, it simply says after his name, ‘Man has no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends…’
Sometimes I’ll stop up here when I’m on a motorcycle ride… kill the engine and just invite the silence. When my Dad was stationed in the Philippines in the late 50’s I used to ride my Lambretta Scooter out to the enormous cemetery outside of Manila… I would park the scooter and sit on the hillside and do my homework. My Uncle Pentti had friends buried there and I would sometimes convey his respects to them. I am also fond of visiting the Arlington National Cemetery when I have a moment in the D.C. area. These hallowed grounds help remind me as an American, who I am and where I came from.
Moving right along. From the mists of February and the past… I am getting ready for a musical week with Acoustic Hot Tuna in Jamaica. Needless to say, if things are internet friendly down there, I will be posting words and pictures.
Onward…
PS It’s snowing here at the Farm this morning…. Hmmm…
May have to work on 5/31 could catch the train in on Saturday for that show but Montclaire is so much easier . Its a staraight shot up the parkway from exit 74. Oh well. @Cyndy Consentino
Enjoy yor trip to Jamaica….Mahn!!How I wish I could join….We just love Negril!!
Are tickets for Montclair sold out already? If they are, go to City Winery on 5/31, 6/1.
Thanks, Jorma. Here’s a Jamaican clip: perhaps a recent recording: nevertheless, an old tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5B62RBXp4U
I waited to long and missed my opportunity to buy a ticket for Jorma in Montclair . Help!!!
I will be going to the Montclair show also Mike@Mike B
Greater love has no one then this; that he lay down his life for his friend. John 15:15
Statement by a Marine featured on 60 minutes last night, “the Marines are at war and America is at the mall” sadly this Marine had taken his own life due to PTSD. Several years ago at a friends funeral I opened my car door at the cemetery and in front of me was a headstone with a picture of a proud Marine in his dress uniform, below carved in stone was his DOB, what unit he served with and DOD, he was only 19, KIA in Vietnam. On the stone’s pedestal were lined up in order, Matchbox military trucks that told me after all these years someone still visits this young man. Someday I hope to make it back tot D.C. to the Vietnam memorial, take a rubbing of his name from “The Wall” and laminate it and leave it propped up behind the Matchbox vehicles.
@ Kathy – Thank you for you and your son’s service.
Jorma,
Thank you and everyone for your kind words. His deployment to Iraq just got cancelled so hopefully he will be in the states for awhile, I’m glad, he’s not..budget cuts, but we won’t go there….Safe journey to Jamaica, warm weather always makes everyone feel better.
Take Care
ARMY STRONG
Hogan
🙂
Jorma , Thank you for this and Kathy – Thank you and your son !
“Freedom ain’t free” – those who serve are paying the bill for all of us .
@kate-I grew up near Greenwood Cemetery! A piece of history indeed! Many great All Hallows’ Eve were spent there!
@Kathy Hogan – God Bless your son for his service!
Jorma, Have you ever visited Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn? It is a historical landmark with graves dating back to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The beauty of the landscape is calming and the guided tours consist of “everything I should have learned in American History class but didn’t”. Many prominent people are buried there ranging from De Witt Clinton to Lenny Bernstein whose grave is frequently littered with brochures from the Philharmonic as well as packs of cigarettes. The cemetery itself is on the sight where the Battle of Brooklyn took place. That’s the battle where George Washington pulled back his troops in defeat. I have attached the link below. The website is full of information. See you and Vanessa at City Winery!
http://www.green-wood.com/
Kate Sullivan
Jorma,
My son just graduated boot camp in February – Third Division Infantry – the feeling of pride when I saw him in his uniform was overwhelming, the field they graduated on was a piece of grass from all our past wars (Normandy,Korea,VietNam) to think of all the hundreds of men and women who stood on that grass and gave their lives to defend our great country was very emotional. I hope and pray that he comes home safe but I also understand this was his choice. Enjoy your time with your family it seems like they grow up so fast.
Enjoy Jamaica and be safe.
See you in NY
Hogan
Dear Kathy…
I thank you, your son and your whole family for your service… service is indeed a family affair. My prayer is that he and his comrades in arms will return home unharmed.
Bless you!
Dear Jorma,
Thank you for the lovely blog post this morning!
Sunny here at the Jersey Shore this morning!
Spring is on the way!
Enjoy Jamaica!
Best,
Cyndy
Can’t wait to see you in Montclair. Loved your shows in the 90″s
That went till like 3:00AM.
Peace & Love
Mike B