|
Posted on 10/31/2003 3:01:59 AM PST by snippy_about_it
|
|
 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
|
| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
|
 For over 200 years, military bands have entertained troops and raised the morale of war-weary soldiers. Pre-Revolutionary War As far back as 1633, in the Colony of Virginia, drummers performed for marching practice during militia drills. In 1659, the Dutch supplied the militia of their new colony with drums. In 1687, the importance of music to the militia was further demonstrated when Virginia voted to purchase musical instruments for its militia. All free white males were required to serve in these units and supply their own rifles. Drummers received money for their services and public funds furnished their instruments. The first known band in the colonies was a band in New Hampshire in 1653 comprising of 15 hautbois (oboe) and 2 drums. The elite militia units in the colonies obtained the services of bands. Officers funded these bands. In 1747, the Pennsylvania colonists formed regiments and Colonel Benjamin Franklin was the regimental commander in Philadelphia. In 1756, the Regiment of Artillery Company of Philadelphia, commanded by Franklin, marched with over 1000 men accompanied by "Hautboys and Fifes in Ranks." It is likely that the term "hautboy" did not refer solely to oboes, but to military musicians, and that Franklin had a well-balanced band. This marks the first recorded appearance of an American military band in the colonies. The Colonies go to War  Musicians in the minuteman companies provided the steady rhythms needed to drill the new militia. On April 19, 1775, William Diamond (in some accounts Dinman), a drummer in Captain John Parker's Lexington militia company, beat To Arms at the Battle of Lexington. Also present was Jonathan Harrington, a fifer. Diamond later went on to march the Lexington militia to Bunker Hill. Some time after Bunker Hill, Diamond set aside his drum in favor of a musket and served throughout the remainder of the Revolution, to include the Battle of Yorktown, as a foot soldier. Support for independence grew and spread throughout the colonies as the war in New England intensified. The colonists held rallies with patriotic speeches and banners. Militia companies drilled while bands played patriotic melodies. At least seven regiments were known to have bands. The bands of the 3rd and 4th Regiments of Artillery served until the end of the war. Near the end of the Revolution, both bands gave frequent civilian concerts. One of them continued to exist into the nineteenth century under the name of the "Massachusetts Band." Musicians were largely young boys from the ages 9 to 14. Congress approved the plan for soldiers no longer enlisting to be only musicians. Drummers and fifers were now picked from the ranks of enlisted personnel. Thus is the first reference to musicians performing soldierly duties. The War of 1812 During the War of 1812, few changes occurred in the development of Army music. The only exception was the shift from fifes and drums to bugles sounding the signals. The bugler was located at the side of his commander. Militia bands were a common sight during the War of 1812. The first military band of New York City was organized in 1810 and offered its' services to the 11th Regiment of the New York Militia. It was stationed at Bledsoe's Island in the New York Harbor, the site of the Statue of Liberty. The band served throughout the War of 1812. Civil War Bands The number of military bands grew tremendously during the first years of the Civil War (1861-1865) when expenses were assumed by the federal government. In 1862 Congress consolidated over 200 regimental bands into about 60 brigade bands and limited the number of musicians in military bands to sixteen.  Some military bands had a less-than-professional appearance. This band (pictured below) was under the command of General James A. Blunt in Kansas in 1863.  Brigade bands performed concerts for the officers, provided music for marching troops, and aided in kitchen and medical duties at hospitals and in the field. This over-the-shoulder, or backfire, cornet was played by George Bind of Company C, 7th Kansas Cavalry during the Civil War. These horns were designed to point back behind the musician's shoulder so that troops marching behind the band could better hear the music. This horn was manufactured by Gilmore, Graves & Co. of Boston around 1861.  Military Bands on the Frontier After the Civil War bands continued to play an important role in the military. Army regulations required bands to be stationed only at those posts serving as regimental headquarters. In Kansas, that meant Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, Fort Harker, and Fort Hays. The regulations also allowed bands to travel around the region to posts occupied by companies of the regiment. Frontier military bands often performed concerts at nearby communities. People traveled great distances to hear military bands play.  Commanding officers had a wide latitude in the uniforms and outfits worn by band members, as is apparent with the band at Fort Hays in 1886.
Spanish-American War Regimental bands accompanied American troops to Cuba and the Philippines for "The Splendid Little War." The 20th Kansas Volunteers were commanded by Frederick Funston of Iola. Members of the 20th Kansas Band distinguished themselves in the Philippines, often taking part as stretcher bearers and sometimes in combat. After the war a number of musical compositions, like Funston's Fighting 20th March were written in tribute to Funston and his men.  "The War to End All Wars" Over 200 American military bands were stationed in Europe during World War I. Because the quality of these bands was fairly low, military bandmasters' schools were established. Many Americans got a musical education while serving in the military, and after the war pursued careers in music education in the public schools.  Corporal Martin G. Miller used this tenor saxophone while in the band of the 130th Field Artillery, 35th Division, from 1917 to 1919. It was manufactured by Frank Holton & Co. of Chicago around 1903.  World War II and Beyond In 1941, the War Department authorized the organization of over 400 bands for the American military. Smaller ensembles often formed out of the larger concert bands, and popular music such as jazz and big-band music was reflected in the selections performed by these military bands.  As in World War II, bands accompanied combat units into action in Korea. Bands traveled many miles to perform several concerts a day for units close to the front line. One report read, "The closer we play to the front line, and recently we have been within a half-mile of it, the more enthusiastic has been the response to our music." By 1969, eight bands were stationed in Vietnam. Bands in Vietnam, like those in Korea, often performed in forward areas. They flew into combat areas with instruments and performed pop concerts or military ceremonies when needed. Desert Storm/Desert Shield Army Bands played a part in these conflicts by increasing morale for Soldiers and providing music for military ceremonies. Bands' duties were varied. For example, the 3rd Armored Division Band performed on the enemy side of a berm while the 24th Infantry Division advanced into Iraqi territory; and many bandsmen spent countless hours guarding the perimeter. Members of the 1st Infantry Division Band from Fort Riley, Kansas formed a rock 'n roll band to entertain the troops while stationed in Saudi Arabia in 1991.       |
The one we liked. LOL.
Piper Louise Ruth FlyBaby
If you get a chance, get away to what we today call wilderness and listen. The old-timers had lots of music, but it was natural. One of my fondest memories is sitting on a hillside under the Mogollon Rim listening to the wind whisper through Ponderosa Pines. It's a whooshing sigh that really tugs at your heart-strings!
And what a glorious morning indeed! We're getting rain in Santa Clarita . . . thank you God!
I've been doing a shuffle between work and home with the fire that hit Stevenson Ranch (adjoining neighborhood). Had to disconnect my home LAN and store our CPUs in a safe place. It's been hectic but all is safe and I have a moment here at work to say hello and "bump" todays thread for a later read.
I'll probably never see a war in my lifetime but the site of Sikorsky S-70 Firehawks running low sorties over our backyard and dropping water with pinpoint accuracy will forever be etched in my mind. Those guys from above reminded me of someone else from above and both are life savers.
Ya'll have a blessed weekend . . . I know I will and we'll catch you later.
The number of military bands grew tremendously during the first years of the Civil War (1861-1865) when expenses were assumed by the federal government.
Amazing how that always happens, the government (taxpayers) start payinjg for something and it it "grows tremendously".
|
Air Power |
The Canadair CL-215 was the first aircraft ever designed specifically for Water Bombing. While the PBY Canso was modified from it’s role as a military submarine patrol aircraft, the CL-215 was created as an actual Water Bomber.
After departing the airport, the CL-215 crew of two heads directly for a suitable ‘scooping’ lake as close to the forest fire as possible. An inspection run is made on the lake to insure that it is of suitable length and has no obstructions which could hamper the safety of the aircraft and flight crew. The aircraft then touches down on the lake and ‘scoops’ 12000 lbs of water into the internal tanks within ten seconds. At this point the water pickup probes are retracted and the aircraft leaps into the air, heading towards the fire. The Air Attack Officer on board the birddog aircraft instructs the water bomber flight crew where and how to drop the load. He may ask that the crew inject a harmless soap-like solution into the water tanks through an onboard computer. This will give the water a foam-like consistency to help increase it’s holding time at the fire. As there are two water tanks onboard the aircraft, both loads of water may either be dropped together or separately as the fire conditions dictate.
With the ability to scoop in close proximity to the fire, the CL-215 is able to deliver an enormous amount of water within a very short time. This provides excellent Initial Attack and Sustained Action support for ground crews on the fire line.
|
Specifications
Primary Function: water bomber
Length: 65'
Wingspan 93' 11"
Speed: 236 mph
Ceiling: 20,000 feet
Range: 1,513 miles
Year Deployed: 1994
|
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
