Posted on 08/10/2004 8:45:46 AM PDT by bolobaby
Sean,
I recently heard you talking about Bruce Springsteen on your radio show. After 9/11, my military unit dealt extensively with Mr. Springsteen, and I can’t say I have a very favorable impression of him. Here’s why…
Bravo Co. 1/181st infantry was deployed to Fort Monmouth, NJ from our home state of Massachusetts as part of operation Noble Eagle – homeland defense. It wasn’t a very glamorous deployment – all we really did was check Ids and search cars for an entire year. I think most of us would have rather been overseas in Afghanistan or even Iraq, although we hadn’t invaded Iraq yet.
Still we answered the call of duty – no matter how monotonous – and served our country in a professional manner. While we weren’t separated from our families by oceans, we were still away from our homes and our civilian jobs. I can’t justly compare our service to the hardships of those who served in combat zones, but it is fair to say that – compared to our civilian lives – it wasn’t easy.
Enter Bruce Springsteen.
I don’t know how, but Mr. Springsteen managed to make arrangements to rehearse for his comeback tour, “The Rising,” in Pruden Auditorium at Fort Monmouth. Our unit was informed that Mr. Springsteen, his band, and his crew would be using the fort’s facilities. We were also told that they had been fully briefed on the security procedures that were in place. Nobody was allowed on post without a visitor’s permit and without showing proper identification.
From the day they arrived to the day they left, we had problems with Mr. Springsteen and his entire crew. Most of them thought the words “I’m with Bruce” would be sufficient to get them through the gate. Even after being individually corrected, they would repeatedly try to gain access to the post without the proper credentials. Then, when we would politely refer them to the visitor’s center to get a new pass, they would give us an attitude.
Honestly, I don’t see what was very hard about the whole process. Even the soldiers of our unit were supposed to show ID when entering the post – often to their buddies. This was a safeguard to ensure that a post pass or ID hadn’t been lost and fallen into the wrong hands. Mr. Springsteen and his crew, however, felt that they were above the rules. It only served to frustrate the soldiers who were manning the gates. After all, we were only following orders designed to make the post more secure.
The thing that surprised me the most, though, was the fact that Bruce Springsteen did absolutely nothing for the troops stationed there. He used the fort’s facilities to rehearse but refused to allow anyone in the auditorium while he played. He could have offered to play just one set for the troops, but he didn’t. He didn’t even set up a time when the troops could come down and receive autographs. It was extremely disheartening for everyone in the unit to have a superstar on post who cared so little for the troops. Instead of throwing us a little love, he only threw smarmy “don’t you know who I am” looks over the top of his sunglasses. And we didn’t just get those looks from him – we got them from no-names that were associated with his act. It was pathetic.
I’m sure Mr. Springsteen would be happy to know that we managed to keep a fair number of curious fans from entering the post while he was rehearsing. Some of them even tried to use the “I’m with Bruce” excuse to get through the gates.
In the future, I hope that Fort Monmouth does not offer the use of its facilities to Mr. Springsteen. I don’t know if he paid for the privilege of using the auditorium, but I can honestly say that the soldiers at the gates paid for it with generous quantities of aggravation.
Sincerely,
SSG John Gardner Andersen (retired, at least until I’m sure there is no President Kerry – then I’ll work on convincing my wife to let me get back in!)
It's always nice to know how "celebrities" act when their adoring fans are not around. Thanks for the post.
Anybody that hasn't already figured out Bruce is nothing more than an elitist, snobby punk has been fooling themselves.
Your message is loud and clear.
good luck.
These people are used to getting what they want when they want it without any hassle or lip from anyone, so living in the real world and having to do what "other people" do is quite difficult for them.
The funny thing was - in the case of "The Boss" and his crew, they only needed to get a visitor's pass once - with the dates that they would be on post. Then, with the visitor's pass in hand, they just needed to show a photo ID that had the same name as on the pass.
Not hard, right?
It seemed like every time that they either forgot their pass or photo ID. Sigh...
Last night, comedian Colin Quinn responded to Springsteen's recent anti-Bush comments in a funny way. Springsteen said that he doesn't understand why some people have to do without and parroted the falsehood about tax breaks for the wealthy. Quinn's response--"Because people like you and me keep the millions we make and don't give it all to charity. You live how you want and don't just live on only what you need." Springsteen had made comments about race and asked why people (impliedly conservatives) can't look past race. Quinn's response--"Let's ask the 6 blacks who have ever been to one of your shows." It was funny--I don't know if Quinn is also a Bush-basher, but at least he's willing to point out the hypocrisy of has-been celebs like Springsteen.
And given the lyrics from his album the Shining, I would say he is a terrorist sympathizer and an anti-American. And, I damn sure question his patriotism.
When I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA, George Foreman faught on post in an exhibition fight. It was part of his come-back training and he was AWESOME. I was picked to be an escort from the locker room to the ring. He is a hugh, friendly teddy bear type of guy!
I urge you all to go buy a George Foreman Grill!
All the prominent race-baiters and race-card players are leftist/Democrats, but people like Springsteen just can't see it.
good letter, best of luck getting the info out.
If you ever read the book by Gary Aldrich, you can see this attitude towards security permeated the Clinton administration, all the way to the very top. Security was for little people and losers, not for the "big shots". That is why, when I heard about Sandy Berger and his treatment of classified material, I was not the least bit surprised. I think all Democrats are like that. (How is that for a blanket statement???)
Many celebs (singers, actors, athletes, etc.) are very good to the military. I have several family members in the armed forces, and they've all shared stories of various people coming on base or post and being very gracious and appreciative of the troops. The ones like Springsteen who trumpet their view, bash Bush, and lead Kerry fundraising events all while refusing to act respectfully towards servicepeople while near them are the ones that we should all boycott. (Not that Springsteen has put out any good music in forever, anyway!)
Springsteen had made comments about race and asked why people (impliedly conservatives) can't look past race. Quinn's response--"Let's ask the 6 blacks who have ever been to one of your shows."
LOL!
Springsteen, like Kerry, doesn't see the disconnect between how he lives his life and how he preaches to OTHER people about how THEY should live THEIR lives.
And a Meineke muffler!
Is this how our tax money is being spent, providing practice venues and security for arrogant leftist musicians?
Somebody gave me one for a present a while back so I tried doing a chicken on it without expecting too much.
Damn thing works great....keeps chicken, steak, pork nice and moist and cooks quickly....Saturday I said 'what the heck' I'll try a bratwurst....it was great!
This "view of a celebrity away from the camera" thing is very telling. A friend of mine who is quite wealthy (a very smart, self-made man) told me he once took his family to a fundraiser/celebrity golf tournament in the Orlando area. He said hands down, the biggest creep there who mistreated the people around him was.......Bill Cosby. Go figure! Mr. Jello puddin' himself. I guess you just don't know sometimes.
I am prior service, an I can attest to the fact that there is a lot of empty buildings on any post for rent. Ft. Monmouth was probably used because it is close to Springsteens home and it is a secure base, knowing that not just anyone can go on.
What I don't understand is, why not Ft. Dix? That's in the "sticks", also there is Mcguire AFB, anyone of those he could have used.
Here at Little Creek Amphibious Base, severl Celeb performers play for the troops, sometimes free sometimes at a really discounted price. They use an old hanger/warehouse to play .
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