The winter of 1962, K company Fort Dix, N.J. Basic training back then was brutal on two notes: the weather and the drill sergeants.

What helped get one through the process was the friendships made along the way. One such friend was a fellow New Jerseyian named Joe. About a week into training Joe and I got into the subject of singing and the love we had of music. This led to us harmonizing every time we had a 'take ten, expect five and get two smoke break.'

We entertained our dog faced recruits with some popular songs of the 50's and 60's. One night after lights out, a couple of guys wanted me and Joe to do a couple of songs before retiring for the night.

As we were getting to the second stanza of the Everly Brothers hit, "Dream," the sergeant, from his room downstairs, yelled up to us to " shut that damn radio off, or there'll be hell to pay."

There was some quiet chuckling from the guys while Joe and I savored the unintended compliment from a guy whose job was to insult and crush you every chance he could.

Needless to say, it was a memorable experience. It seems like a dream now, it was so long ago but I remember it like it happened yesterday.