July 4th, 2007 will not soon be forgotten by me. I had the distinct privilege of entertaining our great troops once again. No, I didn't fly overseas, or make a stop at one of America's military bases, ... I sang and played my guitar as I stood on a float in Barrington, Illinois' 4th of July Parade. On the float were America's finest, four enlisted male soldiers, and two beautiful enlisted women, one with the Army and one airman, ... or is it air-woman?

The float was part of the promotion for the Family Freedom Festival to be held at the Barrington Train Station on Saturday, September 8th from noon until 10:00 PM, organized by We Do Care, a group of concerned citizen who want to make sure that the troops know they are appreciated for all that they do for America. The event is NON-POLITICAL, ... nobody likes war, ... but it is all about thanking and celebrating America's Armed Services.

A few things happened in the Barrington High School parking lot as we were lining up for the parade. One church group was rehearsing and rehearsing their musical choir before the parade. We all watched as they performed the same song over and over and over, for about 30-minutes. I looked at Cliff Storzbach (our fearless leader and person in-charge of our float) and said, "I've had enough, ... please fire up the power, it's time for me to rehearse."

I started with The Beatles; "Here Comes The Sun," and the most amazing thing happened, ... not only did the sun start to break though, but the church choir joined-in, in perfect harmony and started singing all the background parts. Then they rocked with me during "Dust In The Wind." Their stuffy choir director jumped up on their float and stopped them from singing with me and had them back to rehearsing their musical piece, ... again, ... as they all smiled, shrugged their shoulders and stuck out their pouty bottom lips. It was so cute.

Another group, about 50 yards in front of us, preparing their float which simply read "Pray For Peace" issued me a challenge, ... they sent over a message which read, can you play John Lennon's "Imagine?" That was an easy request, and I began to sing and play the great Lennon song. It turned out that one of the people on their float was against the war, but also had a son serving in Iraq. Before the song was over, she was standing right next to our float, crying and shaking the hands of all the troops on board. Remember, ... the parade had not even started yet!

As we pulled out into the street, I performed Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," Toby Keith's "American Soldiers" and "God Bless America." In between songs I would rally the crowd, who were already giving the troops a standing ovation as they realized the "Real Deal" was on our float. "Let's hear it for the troops," I would yell over the microphone and as our truck driver would blast his horn, and the response was overwhelming! I would point out to everyone that Kevin Schmidt, a Barrington High School graduate and a resident of Barrington was on the float, home on a two-week-leave from Iraq. Kevin (a very good looking and well rounded guy) would stand up and the cheers would be deafening, ... it was just awesome to be an American at those moments. (Some girls we swooning as Kevin stood up, ... priceless)

I saw a group of about four men, standing, clapping for the troops, but holding a sign that read, "Honk For Peace." Of course, our truck driver honked his horn. Then the men flashed the two fingered "peace sign" to the troops on the float and the troops flashed it right back. Again, ... just an awesome moment, ... it almost choked me up.

What really got to me were the 70 and 80-year old veterans, dressed in their full uniforms all along the parade route. I would point them out and we would all thank them as the crowd cheered them on and patted their backs.

Then it started to happen, ... we (the troops riding with me actually) spotted enlisted service men standing in the crowd, cheering us on. I yelled to the driver, stop the truck. Then I demanded they climb up onto our float with us. At first they would resist, ... but I am a stubborn Italian at times and I let them know we weren't going to budge without them on the float and that they would be responsible for ruining the parade. Of course, they jumped up on the float and the crowd went wild!!!!!!!

My daughter, Danielle was marching with the Bataille Academy of the Danse, about 3-blocks behind me and she said she could hear the crowds cheering and she could hear me singing very clearly. So I want to thank my friend Jeff, owner of Consolidated Music in Barrington for donating the sound system. I wanted to make sure we had a great sound system, so that we could be heard over the other music, ... Jeff delivered!

After the parade, I talked with the troops about the few "peace seekers" we encountered before and during the parade. The troops all agreed, they want peace also, ... they are just not going to lay down for it. They want peace on America's terms, not on the Taliban's or al Qaeda's terms. I think most American's agree. At least in Barrington. Thank you Barrington for making America's 231st Birthday a very special one for 8-great American's who will never forget the reception, warmth and love you showed them for all they do for us.

Barrington "gets it" and Barrington does care.

                       
           

 

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