"Songs for Soldiers"

The excitement in the air is palpable. Cynical New Yorkers are sipping at bars across the city as they chit chat about their plans of escape through the Memorial Day weekend. Suddenly that sober visage begins to break. A smile?...yes!
Surfing in Costa Rica, the first Hamptons getaway of the summer, the Indianapolis 500, or perhaps just a picnic at our westside favorite, The High Line. The possibilities are infinite.

Hopefully, those plans also include at least a few moments of reflection in honor of the many US soldiers who have given their lives for our country…for us.

As “Decoration Day” was originally observed, long ago on May 5, 1866 in Waterloo, New York, the day was certainly a somber one. Those who had lost their loved ones in the Civil War spent the day at the cemetery or at various war memorials. In the days before national ceremonies, members of the Veteran of Foreign Wars took donations for poppies, the flower being commemorative of John McCrae’s poem

“ Flander Fields”, the battlefield in present day Belgium & the Netherlands where many soldiers lost their lives.

While Ovando chose to substitute white phalaenopsis orchids in place of those little red poppies, we were indeed in attendance at the recent USO event, “Songs for Soldiers”, held at the Union Square Ballroom on May 26^th. Celebrity ambassador, Paris Hilton was there to offer a “Swinging Salute” to our Fleet Week visitors and to present each service member with MP3 players. Why MP3 players and where did they come from? In John Pieslak’s novel, Sound Targets, the author explores the musical habits of contemporary soldiers and recounts stories where soldiers used music as a form of escape or inspiration to keep on pushing through. With this in mind, it seemed only appropriate that the USO, the organization long accredited with the moral-boosting 40’s swing dances, would also look to music as a way to convey thanks. In conjunction with several other partners, the organization raised money over the past several months with the eventual goal of providing each of the 184,251 active duty American Troops with their own waterproof, sand-proof, and shock resistant MP3 player.

This past Wednesday evening was alas that night! Our returning U.S sailors danced the night away, along with other guests including actor and "Songs for Soldiers" creator, Tom Wiggins. Ovando was honored to partake in such a successful and melodious cause.