The Damned Band

"Morale is low in Anzio. Send up the band!" Bob Morton stood against the railing of the ship staring at the Mediterranean water, and thought how well the sea and the desert paced themselves: how easily they overcame the clamors of wars that echoed down the wind and joined the artifacts of Roman legions. Morton recalled the changing emotional pattern that mellowed the thoughtless courage of youth and replaced it with inarticulate knowledge, unspoken understanding, and kindness, from the comradeship shared in sacrifice. He recalled the words echoed in Fort Knox, "Music is a touch with the intangible. It gives men encouragement and lightens the burden somewhat." A tall, raw-boned infantryman walked up next to Morton and looked out over the expanse of water, "Well buddy, I reckon it's over for us."