: : : : I spent some of the happiest years of my life as a member of the 12th Naval
District
: : : : Band on Treasure Island. The band room contained living quarters for the single
band
: : : : members, two or three to a room unheard of for enlisted men during that era. We
also
: : : : had a kitchen with food lockers and cold storage. The base commissary was right
out
: : our
: : : : back door. We were housed in one wing of the building- the Marines had the rest.
: : They
: : : : were constantly trying to kick us out! Our wing had been the base clinic and
infirmary
: : at
: : : : one time so it was divided into individual rooms with a large rehearsal area and TV
: : lounge
: : : : complete with pool tables.
: : : : I had a career of 27 years as a musician in the navy and at no time did I
experience
: : the
: : : : closeness and warmth like we had in that band. The band was excellent musically
: : thanks
: : : : to our leader CWO Gerard Bowen. And then, there was the matter of the greatest city
in
: : : : the world just across the bridge! I was blessed to be able to hear the greatest jazz
: : : : musicians in the history of the music at the Blackhawk and Jazz Workshop during
those
: : : : years. North Beach was my university and church.
: : : : I will never forget the wonderful spiritual times we shared working together and
: : : : making beautiful music on the Magical Treasure Island. A treasure never to be
: : forgotten.
: : : : The museum should be reopened with a special section for the Navy Band.
: : : I was one that always enjoyed hearing the Band play at ceremonies and homecomings.
: : Admiral Toney always seemed to find an opportunity to have the Band perform around
the
: : San Francisco Bay Area.
: : : Yes, have a section for the 12th Naval District Band.
: : : Note: I served on the USS Kansas City at Naval Supply Center Oakland and with Shore
: : Intermediate Maintenance Activity at Naval Air Station Alameda.
: : I just discovered your "follow-up" to my posting. Thanks for the memories. I recently
: : hosted a reunion of band members from the years 1960-64 when CWO Bowen was our
: : leader. I was able to contact five other members of the band; a sixth member was too
ill
: : to travel. I was the only one of the group that shipped over- we all agreed that those
: : years were among the very best of our lives. Attending were: Dave Novak, Bob
Sponholz,
: : Tom Rogotzke, Dave Riegert Marty Loucks and myself. Jim Grafmyer of Denver was too
ill
: : to travel but was with us in spirit. Mr. Bowen passed away several years ago.
: I was there albeit briefly before my discharge april '66..my name is "John" Farrar MUSN
Tenor Sax.I had a big leg cast on, had to march with it (once)..Riegert's name rings a
bell..seem to remember the leader was CWO Huddleston (he told me my tone reminded
him of Vido Musso)..yeah was a magic time. when I got out I went directly to the corner of
Haight and Ashbury and never looked back..I still play in Vegas recently with Wayne
Newton Orch. I've been "Cash" Farrar since the 70's
Hey Cash! Good to hear from you. Your name is familiar although I was stationed in the
CINCSOUTH Band in Naples, Italy in 1966. Gene Huddleston was a wonderful man having
passed away last year. Vido Musso, huh. That's a pretty nice compliment. Mr. H was
responsible for my orders to TI back in 1961 when he was the Training Officer at the
school in Anacostia. He followed Mr. Bowen to the band in '64 I believe.
Mike