A gift of 100 ukuleles brings a touch of aloha spirit to 29th Brigade Combat Team members in Iraq

Honolulu Star-Bulletin ^ | Sunday, August 14, 2005 | Gregg K. Kakesako

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

I couldn't help but smile when I saw this. I play the uke myself, and have loads of fun. Any other Freeper uke players out there?

[Thumbellina]

I'm in Hawaii and learning the Uke. My husband is stationed at Camp Smith. He told me an Hawaiian Sgt. got in trouble recently for giving the Shaka sign to an officer LOL whom didn't know what it meant.

[caisson71]

From sand fleas to the "jumping flea".

[massgopguy]

They shoul'd bust them over insurgents' heads like the Honky Tonk Man.

[Who dat?]

I play the uke myself, and have loads of fun.

I saw a guy on TV once (I think he may have been Japanese-Hawaiian) that was some sort of “classical” ukulele player. He had a CD and everything. I think he said his mom had been some sort of professional ukulele player too.

Pretty interesting.

Meanwhile, for most people the average person playing the ukulele is about pleasant as listening to an amateur bongo drummer.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

From sand fleas to the "jumping flea".

Given the choice, I know what I'd pick...sand fleas are the worst. I hope this brings some joy to our troops.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

for most people the average person playing the ukulele is about pleasant as listening to an amateur bongo drummer.

Absolutely. But in the right hands, the ukulele is a joy to hear.

[RosieCotton]

Awww...what a cool story! Thanks for posting it!

[Fierce Allegiance]

I hope they also sent 200 earplugs while the learn to become proficient on their ukes.

[urtax$@work]

I have been looking for someplace on-line for self instruction of the ukuleles.
Does anyone know of a site that would be good?
As a matter of fact, a self-help book would be ok too.
Thanks for the timely posting.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

bump.

[RosieCotton]

I don't play uke, but Googling "ukulele lesson" brings up a couple of options - might check it out!

This site looks like a fun (if a bit silly) primer for just basic chords:
http://www.st.rim.or.jp/~kunisige/eukulele.html

[windcliff]

Now they can drive each other crazy. Someone needs to send them accordians next.

[RosieCotton]

Didn't you send some tin whistles in some of our care packages to Afghanistan?

Thought you'd like this story!

[caver]

Everytime I hear ukulele I think Tiny Tim. That's a horrid thought.

[niteowl77]

Well, it's less dangerous than sending 100 bagpipes.

[BoneHead]

And fifty years down the line Iraq's national adopted instrument will be the ukulele, a left over from the Liberation from Sadam by our American Allies.

[BoneHead]

And fifty years down the line Iraq's national adopted instrument will be the ukulele, a left over from the Liberation from Sadam by our American Allies.

[2Jedismom]

Yes, the Hobbit Hole did indeed send pennywhistles to Afghanistan! I often wonder what came of them, if there is a paratrooper out there who's learned to play or some Afghani person that happened upon one!

[MarineBrat]

Who dat, you're thinking of Jake Shimabukuro, one of today's finest ukulele players.

http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com

Jake seems like a very nice kid.  I got to see him live, playing the National Anthem at a University of Hawaii ladies volleyball game.  He's a skinny little guy.  Very cute and polite.

I'm not sure if this outside link will work, but here's a sample of his music...

Music sample of "Crazy G"