What started as an akward introduction has turned out to be one of the greatest stories of my life. Let's go back in time about 3 1/2 years. When the 101st Rock Division was born, our first tour was in Iraq and other dangerous places. My friend, Ed Bartt, a retired Marine, gave me a coffee pot and three-pounds of fresh ground coffee, and asked me to make fresh coffee for the Marines on the frontline. I didn't hesitate. I could see that this was a very serious request and I promised Ed's the US Marines in Baghdad would get fresh coffee.

Two weeks after I packed the coffee and coffee-maker and headed off to entertain our great troops, I was standing in line at the dining facility at Camp Victory (A former palace of Saddam's,) when I notice a Marine standing in line. I picked him out because of the different type of uniform he was wearing. I went up to him and said, "You're a Marine!," thinking to myself, I finally met someone who I could deliver the coffee to. The Marine turned, looked at me and said, "You must be a genius contractor."

After I explained that I was the singer of the band that has just finished a show on the steps of the palace, I formerly introduced myself and learned that I had met Col. Dennis Arinello, US Marines. I explained about the coffee and the Col. agreed that fresh coffee was needed for his Marines. Denny (that's what I call him now,) sent me home with a letter of thanks to Ed Bartt, outlining the long tradition of Marines taking care of their own. The Col. also enclosed his coin as a gift to Ed.

When I returned home weeks later, I met Ed at the Egg Harbor restaurant in Barrington, Illinois, where he purchased the coffee, and gave him the letter and coin. Ed was so overwhelmed, he and his Marine friends sent 60-pounds of coffee and a 2-gallon coffee maker. (Thousands of pounds of coffee have made it to Baghdad, and coffee still flows daily on the frontline.)

Meanwhile, the Col. and I wrote to each other almost daily. I would check on him and his men and he would email back, giving me updates. Some emails were great, other were very sad. One day he wrote and said he was coming to Barrington to meet the Marines and have coffee with us. That meeting cemented a life-long friendship and Denny and I have become brothers.

After Denny met Carleen Gwinn, the girl of his dreams (and she is just awesome!!!!!!!!!!!) he requested that I sing at their wedding. The only conflict was, I had promised the Village of Skokie, Illinois that I would perform at their "pro-troop" day on the same day as the Col's wedding. Randy Miles, the president of Skokie's Independent Merchant Association helped me keep my promise and helped me keep the gig in Skokie. Randy organized a great committee and invited Denny, bride Carleen, their family and friends and the entire Chicago-land community to Skokie. On Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 4:00 PM, ... Denny and Carleen were married on our stage in the middle of Oakton St. in downtown Skokie and thousands came to witness this Marine wedding.

My friend Joe Pinto, of the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa in St. Charles, Illinois threw in a "honeymoon" to boot.

Joe Pinto also threw in a room for Ground Zero Firefighter Vinny Forras and his wife Monica. Denny and Carleen and Vinny and Monica and I had dinner together at Pheasant Run one night, which allowed Denny and Carleen to ask us who some of the gifts were from. Of course Ed Bartt had given Denny and Carleen a beaufiful 200 cup coffee-maker ... I love it!(lol) I knew every gift-giver except one. Someone had given the Col. a beautiful Wedgwood plate; on the plate was a drawing of an Irish Stetter holding a pheasant in it's mouth. There was no card enclosed. I will say after a few beverages, ideas started flying around the table as to what to do with this gift. Carleen and Denny came up with a perfect solution. It's bad luck to accept a gift if you don't know the giver, ... so, ...if you are ever at Pheasant Run, sitting near the bar, there is a beautiful dark oak-breakfront against the wall; the pheasant/dog plate now has a new home. I can't wait to check on it when Vinny and Monica return to Pheasant Run September 21-23 for the Gear Up International Convention.

As for Denny and Carleen, my God, it was sure great celebrating some "happiness" that has come from this War. I meet Carleen in Iraq as well, she was serving with the US Army, ... the prettiest soldier the Army had, ... and now, thanks to the great re-con and maneuvers by Denny, she's a Marine (by injection! lol)

Denny and Carleen, I am proud to be your brother, you can count on me for as long as I live. I love you both. Congratulation!

Semper Fi!