I remember

While driving  today I noticed a pick up with a VW van sticker. That takes me back to Kemper (big shock I know).

I remember coming back from some military training on a Saturday  There were about 5 of us from Band who were decked out in our BDUs and LBEs. We were piled into Karlskint's VW van. For some reason we thought it would be funny to pile out of the van like airborne troopers from a plane as he drove slowly by the barracks. As we exited we all did a great PLF (I'm sure) and tumbled and rolled then ran for the barracks. Yeah I know, simple things amused us then. 

I also remember one time George and I were in some one's room doing who knows what for some reason. But we heard the Manhattan Transfer's "Twilight Zone".  We looked at each other and it was like we had the same idea and started acting/freaking out/dancing. It was truly one of those rare moments when I knew EXACTLY what George was thinking. 

Lastly I remember sitting in the hall way of K barracks, talking with someone as everybody just moved around us. We talked for hours. I have no idea what we talked about, just that nothing else really mattered. 

I have never felt more safe than when I was at Kemper. It was Home. I knew every place on that campus. While I was there, I knew that I had friends that had my back. Granted, these were the same ones that would play practical jokes on each one. And yes we would laugh at each other. But these are also the same ones that would cry at the passing of a parent. How can you describe that? Or would you? Even those who you may not consider your friends, if something bad came against Kemper, they would stand with you. And now, 30 years later; those cadets who you may have only known lightly, are more solid than any blood family I ever had. As I don't claim some of those who have the same biological blood in me; but rather claim those who are not even the same nationality or color as my family; my brothers and sisters. I love and miss them. and you either get this or you don't.


Twilight Zone - Manhattan Transfer

When I hear this melody 
This strange illusion takes over me 
Through a tunnel of the mind 
Perhaps a present or future time oh, oh 
Out of nowhere comes this sound 
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round 
Pyramidal locomotion 
From a mystic unknown zone 

Hearin' the twilight 
Hearin' the twilight tone 

Unpretentious girl from Memphis 
Saw the future through her third eye 
People came with skepticism 
Picking, testing her precision, no, wo, oh, oh 
Suddenly they heard this sound 
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round 
A signpost up ahead is calling 
Through the mystic unknown zone 

Hearin' the twilight 
Twilight swept away, feelin' the rhythm 
Hearin' the twilight 
Twilight swept away, ba da, loo da, ba da loo da 
Hearin' the twilight 
Twilight tone 

Submitted for your approval. One Mr. Miller, who's about 
To take a trip into oddness and obsolescence, through a 
Zone whose boundaries are that of imagination. 
Accompanying him on this journey is the mesmerizing 
Sound of the Twilight Tone. 

On a cold & rainy night 
One Mister Miller had a rare flight 
Glen was up there boppin' a rhythm 
Then the engine stopped to listen with him 
Play that beat, oh, oh 
Suddenly he heard this sound 
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round 
Now he resides and plays trombone 
In the mystic unknown zone 

Hearin' the twilight 
(Ooooooh, twilight) 
Hearin' the twilight 
(Hearin' the twilight)