InCider Press, November 2003, page 8

ers constantly complain about the politics and the monetary cost of this war. I sat in the Chapel that day surrounded by many fine Americans - most in uniform. Then I looked up to a stained glass window that displays our flag and I thought about some that wave the flag and say they support our troops. The real flag wavers are those who wear it as a patch sewn into their uniform's shoulder. How can we ever forget the terror and death of 09.11? We must continue and we must do an even better job of supporting those that pledged to support and defend the constitution and the people of these United States.

It was made quite clear to all those present that SFC Collins and SSG Vasquez were doing their job most professionally and with pride. They were admired and trained leaders who inspired those around them to serve our country well.

The soldiers involved and committed to this war deserve your support. They need your heart-felt thoughts and prayers.

Last week, I attended a very sad and moving memorial service at Fort Riley. The service was to honor and remember two young men in their 30s ~ both friends, each a ranger. One was a Staff Sergeant and the other a newly promoted Sergeant First Class. Both were married and each with daughters in elementary school. They were in the same wheeled-vehicle at the time it was struck by an improvised explosive device in Iraq.

We are having too many of these services - these were the twelfth and thirteenth deaths from Fort Riley in this war! When you look into the eyes of the spouses and children and see the pictures of such fine young men . . . it should make us all wonder about many things: why, for what purpose, and what sacrifice? I believe that most of all -- it should make us all appreciate that our country is in good hands and the "youth" who are serving in our volunteer Army are doing so with professionalism, pride and full commitment.

It takes my breath away just to think about how very little that some of us are doing and how oth

(Continued from page 6)

Welcome John Desper

try that take advantage of this service, as well as a handful of users outside the chemistry department."

John has been involved in music all his life. He enjoyed singing in grade school, but really became involved in the 4th grade when he took up the trombone which he played through college. In fact he played in a jazz band in High School with some folks who became pro's later. "Two names that jazz aficionados might recognize are Pat Zimmerli and Brad Mehldau, both of whom graduated a couple of years after me."

With an eclectic taste in music, John likes jazz, blues, bluegrass, and "good" country music. For a few years he's been thinking of singing, dat

ing back to his church in NYC, which was blessed with an exceptional motet choir. He became a big fan of vocal harmony, including gospel and spirituals (e.g. the Staples Singers, Blind Boys of Alabama), traditional country music (Nickel Creek, the newer Dolly Parton repertoire), and "mountain music" (Ralph Stanley, and the entire "O Brother" soundtrack, for that matter).

It's hardly surprising that a few months ago when he joined the choir at St. Paul's Church, he attracted my attention. Standing next to him during one of the anthems I was impressed with his natural tenor voice. "This fellow would enjoy singing with a barbershop chorus!" The rest is history.

Welcome, John!