Memorial Day Parade 2015, Washington, D.C.

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

A beautiful day in Washington greeted thousands who turned out to watch and participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade down Constitution Avenue in honor of all military members who have served the United States. Veterans from wars beginning with World War II through present day marched or rode in style to greet paradegoers who lined the street and rewarded the troops with constant, loud applause.  Tuskegee Airmen riding in fancy cars were among parade participants.

 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and at 3 p.m., the two-hour parade stopped, watchers removed their hats, and all paused in silence for the National Moment of Remembrance, authorized by the U.S. Congress.  

 

Thanks to Stars and Stripes and the sponsors for publishing a commemorative edition of the newspaper for the special day.

Sponsored by the Republic of Vietnam Veterans Association Coalition/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Arbor View High School, Las Vegas, NV/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Arbor View High School, Las Vegas, NV/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A riderless horse in tribute to those who have lost their lives in service to our nation/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

To honor his uncle, WWII veteran Willy Novelli,  actor Joe Mantegna led a succession of WWII vets riding in high style/Photo by Patricia Leslie

WWII vets in the 2015 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

WWII vets in the 2015 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

WWII vets in the 2015 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ballou High School Marching Band, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)/Photo by Patricia Leslie

"Girls can't have all the fun!  I just want to be a pom pom boy!" Hampton High School Band, Allison Park, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

You guessed right:  a 60-foot flag/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Opelousas High School Band, Opelousas, LA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

"OMgosh! I was going to lay down right on the pavement and cry if I didn't get those heels off!  Thank goodness, you brought some other shoes for me!  Mothers think of everything!" Opelousas High School Band, Opelousas, LA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

President George Washington left Martha warming the stove, I 'spose/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, Columbus/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, Columbus/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation featuring Gary Sinise (on right, waving in black and white checked shirt) and Wounded Warriors from Afghanistan and Iraq/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Black Knight Marching Band, Franklin High School, Franklin, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Black Knight Marching Band, Franklin High School, Franklin, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Nationals went to Chicago to beat the Cubs and left Abe and George at home.  Boo hoo. But we got'em!  Over on the far curb it looks like George is bending over to grab a ...? Slurp off a popsicle?/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Secaucus High School, Secaucus, NJ/Photo by Patricia Leslie

West Platte High School Marching Band, Weston, MO/Photo by Patricia Leslie

President Abraham Lincoln for sure wasn't going to bring that crazy Mary Todd Lincoln!/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Female Re-Enactors of Distinction/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Shiner High School Marching Band, Shiner, TX/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Shiner High School Marching Band, Shiner, TX/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Oh, to lead a dog's life and ride atop a stagecoach in 2015. Bow WOW/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Sons of Confederate Veterans, R.E. Lee Camp, Alexandria, VA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Bartow High School, Bartow, FL/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Bartow High School, Bartow, FL/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Henry Ford II High School Marching Falcons, Sterling Heights, MI/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Henry Ford II High School Marching Falcons, Sterling Heights, MI/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Pride of Morristown Junior/Senior High School, Morristown, IN/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Pride of Morristown Junior/Senior High School, Morristown, IN/Photo by Patricia Leslie

They grow'em big out West!  A potato from Idaho/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Deer Park High School Band, Deer Park, TX/Photo by Patricia Leslie

General "Black Jack" John Pershing and his horse, "Aw Shucks"/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Gateway High School Marching Band, Monroeville, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Lions/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, who wears size negative two/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Mulberry High School Band, Mulberry, FL/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of the Fallen/Photo by Patricia Leslie

From Lancaster County, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Please identify this band/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Springfield Central High School Marching Band, Springfield, MA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Springfield Central High School Marching Band, Springfield, MA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Cumberland Valley High School Marching Band, Mechanicsburg, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Cumberland Valley High School Marching Band, Mechanicsburg, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Cumberland Valley High School Marching Band, Mechanicsburg, PA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

2014 American Idol winner, Caleb Johnson, salutes American heroes/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Havelock High School Marching Rams, Havelock, NC. Havelock must havelots of residents to have a high school band this big/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Havelock High School Marching Rams, Havelock, NC.  Havelock's flag girls won "Best Costume" of the day.  They were dressed like WWII worker bee women/Photo by Patricia Leslie

John F. Kennedy High School Eagles' Marching Band, Taylor, MI/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Purple Hearts Reunited/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Purple Hearts Reunited/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Snowball Express serving the Children of Our Fallen Military Heroes/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Kuwait honored Gulf War veterans/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ocoee High School Knights Marching Band, Ocoee, FL/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Mariposa Unified Grizzly High School Band, Mariposa, CA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Navy Reserves/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Chilton High School Band, Clanton, AL or Chilton, WI?/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Chilton High School Band, Clanton, AL or Chilton, WI?/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Liberty Technology High School Band, Jackson, TN/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Everett High School, Everett, MA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Everett High School, Everett, MA/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Doing what moms do in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Hang around 'til the end and get your picture taken with a pig/Photo by Patricia Leslie

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Army's new jazz and All-Stars delight audience

The U.S. Army Blues in concert, Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

One of the joys of living in the Washington, D.C. region is the plethora of musical opportunities offered by expert performers, many who play for free for eager and enthusiastic audiences.  So it was on Sunday afternoon at Brucker Hall at Fort Myer, Virginia where about 150 jazz lovers came out to hear non-traditional, original compositions and arrangements by members of the U.S. Army Blues, under the direction of Jeremiah Keillor.  The Army Blues is the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, an 18-piece ensemble, part of the Army Band "Pershing's Own."

Trumpeters in the Army Blues are Mark A. Wood, Kenneth W. McGee, Graham E. Breedlove, and Kenneth R. Rittenhouse.  According to the concert's leader, Joseph D. Henson, Take Five by Paul Desmond, made famous by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and arranged by Master Sgt. Rittenhouse for Sunday's performance, was "as traditional" as anything heard in the "New Music Concert"/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Trombonists in the group are Matthew F. Niess, Victor Barranco, Harry F. Watters, and Jeffrey J. Cortazzo, and on drums, Steve Fidyk.  On the program were Utopia by Blues' Joseph Henson and Bloodline by Michael Kramer, also a Blues member (below)/Photo by Patricia Leslie

New Army Blues member and guitarist is Michael Kramer who wrote To Herb, Two Herbs as a tribute to "overlooked jazz composer" Herbie Nichols (1919-1963) who died at 44 from leukemia.  Mr. Henson called it "probably the band's most challenging piece" of the day, but it didn't sound like it/Photo by Patricia Leslie

On the sax were Antonio L. Orta, Bill E. Linney, Mr. Henson, and David T. Brown/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A "New Music Concert" at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

These were the Blues' "Swamp Romp" playing Xavier Perez' Reich Sauce in the Chili. The program said Perez, "a big fan of composer Steve Reich" (b. 1936) put together the piece with a "bluesy, Southern boogaloo"/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Xavier Perez/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A "New Music Concert" at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Pianist Daniel A. Roberts composed Link's for his friend, Lyle Link, an area alto saxophonist.  Bass player Regan Brough arranged The Lover's Celebration by Memphis' James Williams (1951-2004) as a solo piano piece.  It featured a no-conflict relationship in a light, delightful, and soothing style/Photo by Patricia Leslie

An incredible show by the National Jazz Workshop All-Star Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Alan Baylock and produced by Matt Niess, preceded the Blues' performance. The website says the All-Star Jazz Orchestra is "an audition based ensemble open to music students aged 15-22 in the Washington, DC area. The mission of NJW is to offer the highest level of instruction to young jazz musicians while promoting America's Art form, jazz. NJW employs educators and artists dedicated to helping students reach their potential as musicians and individuals"/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Jaquan Andrews is the trombone soloist (left on second row) from the National Jazz All-Stars, playing Cold Duck Time.  Other All-Star trombonists are Aidan Farley, Jack Grimm, Zachary Niess, Noah Flanigan, and Francis Baylock/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Pianist Daniel A. Roberts got double billing, playing for the Army Blues and subbing for the All-Star Jazz Orchestra/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Garrett Mader and Jan Knutson are All-Star guitarists/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Sax All-Stars are Kurtis Wheeler, Eli Kane, Ben Brooks, Alex de Lazzari, Ben Francis, and Zach Hanna/Photo by Patricia Leslie

An All-Star at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The only female spotted on the stage the whole afternoon was Caeley Niess who played a sexy Concerto for Cootie by Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and almost stole the show. Niess's parents, Suzanne and Matt Niess are members of the Army band. Other All-Star trumpeters are Robert A. Barron, Michael Berkeley, Nathan Bradley, Marshall Klimmek, and Jake Crawford/Photo by Patricia Leslie

All-Stars at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

On drums somewhere in the photo is All-Star Scott Sawicki /Photo by Patricia Leslie

All-Stars at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

An All-Star at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

All-Stars at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Behind the trombone is an All-Star/Photo by Patricia Leslie

These two All-Stars really dug their music on stage at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

All-Star bassists are Jacob Dormuth and Michael Baylock/Photo by Patricia Leslie

More All-Stars at Brucker Hall, Fort Myer, VA, May 17, 2015/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

patricialesli@gmail.com

Book review: 'Heads in Beds' is a riot

Attention, travelers:  If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a hotel,  Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality will give you a gleeful glimpse.

It's so funny I am certain I woke up my upstairs noisy neighbors by guffawing out loud in many places. The book is simply written and is a fast read.

Jacob Tomsky is the author, and he's got lots to tell as he weaves his way from hotel valet driver up through industry ranks. (Alert:  Today's coarse language is the style, but, of course.)

Got tips?  Tomsky has some for you.   

If you are told "all rooms are alike," it's a lie. Surprise! Cash talks.

You want an upgrade? Gimme $20.

The mini-bar is yours for the taking (stealing). When it shows up on your bill, just say you didn't touch the mini-bar, and poof! Off it comes from your bill. Take everything, Tomsky writes in his breezy style.  You'll never be questioned. 

You can also check into a room, stipulating "no smoking," and after you get to the room, stuff the mini-bar contents in your bag, smoke a cigarette, and call the front desk to complain about having a smoking room, summon a hotel staff member to verify, and change rooms. Because the room is considered "non-occupied," no one will track it and off you go to a new room. 

If you complain too much and get on the wrong side of the front desk, look out!  How would you like a room under the 300 lb. gorilla who checked in just before you? 

If you make a racist or homophobic comment to the staff, listen for your room phone to ring all night, or how would you prefer automatic curtains which are stuck?

Never, ever book a room with a third party.  You always get a better room communicating with the hotel directly, but if you must use a third party, call the hotel before you arrive to establish "personal communications."

Always use a bellman and never, ever tip in coins.  (Tomsky says professional athletes are the worst tippers.  One left no tip after a bellman carried 14 bags to the room.  Names are omitted unless it's a positive anecdote.)

Included are lists for "Things a Guest Should Never Say," "Things a Guest Should Never Do," "Things Every Guest Must Know," "FYA-Finding Your Agent," and "Standard Lies That Spew from the Mouth of a Front Desk Agent."

The ending seems to repeat the contents too much, and perhaps it was padded to reach a certain page count.  Nevertheless, this book is fun.

Compliments to book designer Emily Mahon and jacket photographer Scott Nobles who created an eye-catching jacket, like the title.

Whatever shall Tomsky write for an encore?

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