Just Plain Bill
TAPS
On Veteran’s Day
weekend, 2017, I’m hearing the notes of the time-honored tune played at the end
of the day – Taps – as my near 60-year relationship with my “bunk”, the marine with
whom I shared the barracks in Iwakuni, Japan, has come to an end.
My Bunk, Peter J.
McCarthy, 79 years of age, shuffled off this “mortal coil” after a long and
brave battle against the steady march of aging.
I will always see
him as a 20-year old
Marine, marching tall, playing his glockenspiel in our United States Marine
Corps band, 59 years ago...
Furiously embracing
all things musical, especially piano, organ, tympani and other percussion
instruments, as well as his first love, conducting his choral groups at the
University of Delaware, and the Delaware Singers...
Feisty, twinkling
eyes, with a laugh straight out from his deep Irish heritage, a smile that would
light up the proverbial room…
Whether it’s in the
Pearl bar in Iwakuni, Japan, the concert halls of Delaware and Maryland,
or any place where repartee reigns, there you’d find my Bunk telling story
after story, laughing until eyes watered.
He so loved his
daughter Anne, her husband Dave, and his grandchildren (“The best ones on earth!”
he always proclaimed), his wonderful family, and the musical classics that
evolved from his magical, creative touch.
Peter has lived life to its fullest, and my best friend
ever will be forever missed, but not forgotten.
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