Fort George G. Meade: The First 100 Years

Rick Hagman – The Music of the Day
SCRAPBOOK MEMORIES
Dad retired from 6th ACR at Fort Meade and we all moved to Odenton.
One of the things that was unique about life on FGGM as a teenager was this was a time when music was exploding
and the Beatles got everyone interested in music. Odenton had two bands on every block, but the Army brats had an
advantage. The service clubs had really good equipment and the young soldiers, who were only a few years older than
us, by now I was 16, taught us their music from all over the country. One guy, Speedo from Louisiana, mentored us and
taught us songs no one on the east coast had ever heard before. Their enthusiasm for sharing with us only heightened
our desire to play better. It was the culture at Fort Meade that helped shape the talent of many of us. I still play today!
Shortly after that, the Army built us the Teen Center. We all couldn’t believe the Army would do that for us! We loved
that cabin. Teens were able to walk out in the moonlight, with the bands playing and there were no fights on post. Even
though West Side Story was out and there were gangs and fights around us in Severn and Crofton–I know because my
band played there, it didn’t happen on Meade.
Even the NCO Club and the Laurel Shopping Center got in on the FGGM teen bands. They hosted a battle of the
bands where five bands were playing at one time. (Below) Holiday dance c. 1950.
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