November 30th, 2006 ... Colonel Dennis Arinello, E.R., and Bruce Gordon

I have a few heroes in my life; one being Col. Dennis Arinello. I met Denny in Baghdad in the chow line after a concert in 2004. I needed to keep a promise and find a Marine to deliver fresh coffee and a coffee pot. Arinello was standing next to me in line. I saw the "MARINE" on his uniform shirt pocket and stupidly asked, "Are you a Marine?"

I can see his face now, ... he just looked at me as if I had just killed his dog. "How could you tell? You must be one of the genius contractors," he said back to me.

After I explained that I was NOT a genius- contractor, but rather a dumb-ass musician; Denny's face went long and then his  famous smile took over. He gave me hug and humbly accepted the coffee from my friend and Marine veteran, Ed Bartt.

Ed remembered his days as a Marine and noted the Marines never had good or fresh coffee. Ed asked me to personally deliver both the coffee and coffee pot to the Marines on the frontlines and to tell them it was simply from a brother Marine.

The Colonel hurried back to his quarters and wrote Ed a note explaining the Marine legacy, writing to Ed that he was honored to be thought of by one of his Marine brothers. In the envelope the Colonel place his personal military coin. I had the honor of personally delivering that coin to Ed a few day after I returned home from Iraq.

I kept in touch with Denny almost everyday while he was in Iraq. He's home now, and after working in New Orleans for nine months, he is stationed in Virgina.

Ed and his Marine buddies we so taken by the Colonel they send 2 1/2 gallon coffee makers and arrainged to have 60 pounds of coffee dilivered every month.

With a two day notice, Col. Denny was in town yesterday. Ed Bartt, Marine Veteran Joe Jones and I had another one of our 3-hour lunches. I wish we had more time. We talked with Denny about the war in Iraq, the Marines, New Orleans and the Colonel shared some very interesting stories that can not be printed on this blog.

I want to thank Richard Walkers Pancake House in Schaumburg, Illinois for hosting our little get together and for sending 60-pounds of fresh coffee to Baghdad to the Marines on a tri-monthly basis, along with Egg Harbor and Starbucks. Lou, the manager of Richard Walkers and former Marine himself picked up yesterdays tab! HoooooRahhhhh!

E.R

If you are watching "ER" tonight, ... watch for "Officer Lundbar," ... that's my brother Jim Cantafio. He is showing up in movies (Flags of Our Fathers & Million Dollar Baby) and lot's of TV shows lately (Desperate Housewives & Invaders.)

Guitar Goes To Iraq

My buddy Jon Brant called and asked if I could help him locate a guitar for a Marine who is currently serving in Iraq. Jon and Claire Brant have known David Strathman, USMC since David was a young boy. David's dad has been the veterinarian for the Brant's horses for about 12 years.

I reached out the my buddy/musician Bruce Gordon of Midwest Rentals. Bruce is the former bass player/vocalist with the New Colony Six (Things I'd Like To Say and I Will Always Think About You) and spent a few years playing bass with me in JADE.

I asked Bruce if he could locate an acoustic guitar and help make the Brant's Christmas wish of getting David something he really wanted for Christmas but would never expect, come true. Believe me, a guitar rarely shows up in the mail on a military base in Iraq.

Bruce loved this project so much that he pulled one of his personal guitars from the shelf, and with no questions asked said, "Do you think he'll like this?"

The guitar is beautiful; a blue stained wood-grain finish and it sounds great. I am going to re-string the guitar, throw a few pack's of new strings, guitar picks and a tuner in the case and deliver it to Jon and Claire, ... I'll probably get a free meal for this one! (Did you read that Jon!)

Jon said that he'll ask David to send a photo of him and some of his fellow Marines with the guitar. When those photo come in, I'll post them on this website.

To Bruce Gordon, ... thank you for stepping up and making a soldiers dream come true. This special Christmas gift to the frontlines would not be possible without you my brother.

God bless America and let's keep up the "Good Will" this Christmas Season.

 

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