Saturday, August 13, a group of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom held their third annual reunion at Beulah Hill Baptist Church. While deployed, these soldiers found common ground through their faith and their music, and used it to encourage one another as well as minister to others.
This photo is from their first reunion two years ago.
Several of the original bunch were in attendance once again.
The church welcomed the opportunity to provide a meal and hospitality to these who have faithfully served our country in both peace and war.
My good friend Steve and I were ready
for good food and good music.
As good as the food was, the Bad Boys were eager to circle up and crank out some of the songs they jammed to while deployed.
Greg Rawlings was the mastermind behind founding the Bad Boys as well as coordinating the reunions. He led out on several numbers with his mandolin.
Friends were welcome to join the Bad Boys. John Santa, well known for four decades in Triangle music circles, used a variety of instruments: dobro, guitar, harmonica, and cello, to mention a few. His vocals were a major contribution, too.
My pal Ray, who assists me with music at area rest homes, was eager for a chance to join in this session. Ray can play anything he hears.
I tucked my keyboard in an out-of-the-way corner and mainly provided some rhythm. I appreciated the Bad Boys making an exception to the "no electronics" stipulation.
The listeners were free to go on chatting or eating while the musicians played. In fact, if the crowd had all stood on their heads I'm not sure the fellows would have noticed, so intent were they on the songs.
John Santa gets a big hug from Faye Williams, who provided plenty of the food for this occasion. John once "proposed" marriage to Faye based on her banana pudding.
There were a lot of kids present, too, and the weather was fine for them to enjoy a bouncer the Men's Sunday School Class had rented for the day. Although many of the young folks were meeting for the first time, they struck up friendships easily, snacking, playing, or strolling the church grounds.
I'm happy to display my friendship with these fine folks.
Jack Short thanks our friends not only for the entertainment,
but for their service in our armed forces.
It was a great day of celebration, with the spirit and enthusiasm
matching that of the previous reunions.
I'm including one video which features beautiful harmony
on "Down to the River to Pray."
Even when still deployed, the Baghdad Bad Boys had shown their appreciation for the support of our Men's Class with the gift of this hand-stitched wall hanging.
Made by Iraqi craftsmen, it now hangs in our Sunday School class as a constant reminder of this sweet relationship we have.
When I photographed the wall hanging, it struck me that our current series of lessons focuses on the very region where these soldiers have served. It's been a war-torn land of turmoil through the centuries, and the root of some of the world's biggest problems today.
Peace may never come to that area, but the dedication of thousands of our troops have brought renewed hope to many. Perhaps it is not too late.
The Baghdad Bad Boys have certainly given it their all.
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