Father's Day

The following was sent in by Ginny Moore. May you and yours enjoy a cherished Father's Day of warmth and fond memories. Until a couple of years ago, Father's Day at our house was quite "normal." We went to church as a family, had a big lunch and gave gifts to all the fathers in the family. That was before. This will be our third Father's Day to celebrate in the midst of drum corps season, and as such, things are different. Three years ago, my husband, Trey Moore, began taking steps to bring to life a dream that had been dormant for many years, and in doing so, he has affected the lives of all around him. He marched in the drum line of the old "Memphis Blues" for three years in the early 1980s and went on to a band scholarship with the University of Memphis. When Trey and I were dating, he once took me to a drum corps show in Jonesboro, Ark. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, and I remember being very impressed. I'm sure neither of us had any idea how great a role this activity would eventually play in our lives. During Trey's years with the Blues, his parents would sometimes travel with the corps and help out, as so many parents do in lots of ways. I'm sure they too never dreamed that so many years later, they would once again be traveling with a drum corps! By 2002, we had been married for several years, had four children, and had celebrated many "normal" Father's Days. But throughout that fall, he began the transition to leave behind a career with many years invested in it, and try to bring drum corps back to Memphis. When "Memphis Sound" was born, among its first supporters was Trey's dad, Tom Moore. He had been a drummer in high school himself, and somehow saw the potential in his son's plans. He has been a financial contributor, an advisor, an encourager, and most visibly, the co-manager of the Memphis Sound souvenir booth, along with Trey's mom, Becky. They put in unbelievable hours, log incredible miles and even handcrafted some of the souvenirs seen in the booth. They do all this for the love of the corps, but more importantly, for the love of family. The next generation is already on the road with the corps. Our two oldest sons, Andy, age 12, and Caleb, age 10, have logged many hours during the last two summers, and look forward to doing so again. Andy started middle school band this past school year, and is -- no surprise -- a drummer. During Memphis Sound's first summer, he bought a practice pad from his grandfather at the souvenir booth, and since then, it is rarely out of his hands. Caleb is intent on becoming a brass player. Daughter Meredith, age 6, likes to try to spin the small wooden rifle that "grandpa" made for her. And the youngest of the "Moore Corps," Clayton, has not yet started kindergarten, but will get a chair to stand on and direct corps performances on videotape. If we play our cards right, all four could be in together in the summer of 2014! Maybe the director will give me a discount. I believe the older two have learned some life lessons by observing their dad and the daily routine on tour. These include: Any great performance must be preceded by lots of practice that no one else sees. Becoming really good at something may mean sacrifice. Each member is responsible for his or her part in the overall show. Not every day runs smoothly. And, a corps (or team or family) works together. I am sure that on Father's Day, both Trey and Tom will think of another Moore drummer who did not live to see this new venture come to the field. Tom's father and Trey's grandfather, Earl Moore, would have been 98 if he were still alive. He was the drummer for a dance band in the 1920s. In our home, we have a faded picture of him, sitting behind his trap set. I am sure he would be very proud of what the following three generations are doing -- carrying on the musical legacy he began. When I think about drum corps dads, I think of the many who drive trucks for us, who hammer and paint things for us, of those who have been moved to tears by the sight of what their son or daughter is accomplishing, of those who work extra hours to pay for their expenses. During Memphis Sound's first season, the medical doctor father of one of our members endeared himself to us by volunteering his time to provide physicals. Even though this was his first exposure to drum corps, he seemed to enjoy it enormously, and was very supportive of his son Jim's participation. Later that spring, he was diagnosed with cancer, but insisted that his son continue with his plans to march for the summer. The corps was traveling in Iowa when Trey received the call in the middle of the night that Dr. Stribling had passed away. Within hours, another corps dad who worked for an airline arranged for a ticket to get Jim home quickly. In our family, we have had to adopt the practice of giving Father's Day gifts early, as we are not usually together on the actual day. Dinner at the dining room table will have to wait for a homecoming dinner in mid-August. And the only gathering we will do is around the computer to see scores come up that night! I am grateful that my children have a wonderful dad, and have had the loving influence of grandfathers on both sides of the family. Kids, call your dads today. Dads, share something of yourself with your kids this weekend. It doesn't matter what your interests are, just be interested in your kids. Fathers, to sons, to grandsons, to great grandsons: "A cord of three strands is not easily broken." Ginny Moore