Posted on 03/11/2007 3:14:32 PM PDT by Borges
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan - When the thunder of the power generators eases to a rumble, Spc. Brandon Begley heads for an echoing hangar on this U.S. outpost near the Pakistan border and sets up his electric organ.
Like many GIs, he uses music to cope with stress and boredom. Often, even on patrol, they listen to MP3 players or CD boom boxes. Those who sing or play instruments usually mimic the popular music they hear on the radio back home.
But it is a surprise to find a classical pianist and composer in this environment.
Begley, a 22-year-old mechanic with the U.S. Army's 27th Engineer Battalion, has composed a three-movement sonata as a tribute to fallen comrades.
The piece honors Pfc. Aaron Edgin and Cpl. Kevin Griner, both killed in battle in 2006, and "all soldiers who have fallen in the name of freedom," he says. Its title: "The Sonata of War and Peace."
Edgin, 31, of Dyersburg, Tenn., died on July 6 when his convoy came under small-arms fire. Griner, 24, of Tampa, Fla., died on June 28 when his vehicle struck a mine, according to Pentagon announcements.
"It was very sad and very painful to, you know, see that soldiers had given their lives in defense of their country," Begley said in a choked voice. Although he doesn't leave the base, he has seen the results of fighting. "War is not a pretty sight," he says.
Begley, from Hamilton, Ohio, took four months to write the sonata, during breaks between shifts repairing armored vehicles and hulking construction equipment.
Orgun-E is 7,500 feet up in the mountains, just a few miles from the dangerous border zone with Pakistan where clashes between Taliban insurgents and coalition forces are common.
Begley, who began studying piano at age 6, says the hangar has the best acoustics. He also plays the borrowed organ in the base chapel.
Begley said the deaths of fellow soldiers serving under the 10th Mountain Division shook him deeply during his year in Afghanistan and that's reflected in the music.
It's fair to describe the composition as "dark," he says. That reflects the conflicting nature of its inspirations — hopes for peace versus the need to tackle threats to peace such as terrorism.
So far, Begley has only performed his sonata for a select few of his colleagues, preferring to rehearse the melancholy chords in the empty hanger.
But he has higher aspirations. He describes his music as "a combination of Mozart and Beethoven" and hopes one day to perform in public with a live orchestra. He also has composed music to celebrate the birth of his first daughter, Bella, and other family events.
"I want everyone to know my feelings about our soldiers and not only in the United States but every army," he says. "I hope my music will touch a lot of hearts."
Begley, who joined the Army in October 2001, a month after the 9/11 attacks, and plans to make the Army a career. His goal is to join the Army band one day.
PING
I really wish I could hear his music. It must be very touching. God bless our troops and God bless the Gathering of Eagles.
---Often, even on patrol, they listen to MP3 players or CD boom boxes. ---
Do this and you'll find out that not just the good die young. So, do the stupid.
Dear Borges,
Thanks for the ping!
Classical Music Ping List ping!
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Thanks,
sitetest
It makes you want to hear the piece.
God Bless Our Troops
Ping! How lucky we are to have someone like John Kerry to help us keep things in perspective! If not for him, we might labor under the delusion that our troops are awesome.
I'm not believing I read that!
Someone please tell me it isn't so...
On PATROL with music booming into your ears!
No wonder our casualty rates are high.
Perhaps the definition of PATROL has been changed....
Semper Fi
the definition of patrol has changed. dismounts do not walk with MP3 or earphones, however those on vehicular patrols do, especially in HUMMVs or Strikers. Too much noise from the engines to hear anything inside the vehicle. I haven't seen drivers, gunners or TCs using them, but the guys along for the ride in the back... yep.
Thanks for the clarification..
That does reduce my shock.......somewhat.
I'm still not ready for Grunts with "rap" in their ears when at any moment a command or warning could be missed, which might make the difference between life and death, or the success of the mission .
I recognize that Afghanistan and Iraq are not being fought under a 3 canopy rain forest jungle where visibility could be as limited as a few meters - and EVERYONE was a "dismounted" grunt -- but some survival skills never go dormant.
Semper Fi
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