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Over Coffee
Having coffee with Bob Moffa was certainly an impressive experience to have at a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant.
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| BOB MOFFA |
You wouldn’t expect to meet someone like Robert “Bob” Moffa at McDonald’s, but despite the fact he’s been honored by the late President John F. Kennedy and received a personal letter of thanks from the King of Spain – among other things – this Ruskin resident is as humble and unassuming as the place he chose for us to meet.
A highly-acclaimed musician who has turned his life into one of constant involvement with charitable causes, Bob has a host of accolades and irons in the fire. It seems to me he must get up with the attitude of, “OK, so who can I help today?”
As a pianist and conductor, Bob has been recognized for his talent to compose music that depicts the realities facing humanity- especially freedom. He gained international recognition for “The Berlin Suite” he wrote to musically describe the emotions surrounding the Berlin Wall, and through the years has written compositions about Poland’s freedom, songs dedicated to the American farmer, American Indians, and the Constitution of the United States. He also founded The American Symphony Orchestra of Florida, of which he is still conductor, and the American Ideals Foundation, Inc., the only organization in the U.S. that provides Honor Ceremonies for fallen heroes (living or dead) through artistic works.
His own works have been part of conventions, fine arts series, colleges, schools and charitable events, and in 1986, his achievements were recognized and published in the Congressional Record of the 99th Congress.
More recently, the South Jersey farm-boy turned Floridian has concentrated his time in teaming up with local artists and writers to produce videos and publish poetry and books under his R.A.M. Publishing House Inc. imprint, while still working hard to promote the foundation’s Military Heroes Project.
Little did he know how congratulatory words spoken to him about his music in 1963 by the late President John F. Kennedy, part of which were: “….you are to be congratulated for your contribution to the American Ideals World Wide…” would influence him to combine his love for arts and his respect for those in military service later in his life.
“I started The American Ideals Foundation in 1982 to honor veterans of American Armed Forces from all its branches,” he said in our recent interview. “Honoring fallen heroes and keeping their memories alive is a passion for me, as are the arts.”
With the help of the Foundation’s “official team” made up of artist Greg Crumbly; host and producer of the television program, “The Tampa Grapevine,” Dean Chambers, who acts as the project’s Master of Ceremonies; published poet Gareth Schumacher, who composes original work for each ceremony; and photographer, videographer and producer, Jon C. Bolton Sr.; Bob (the project’s official composer) is seeking names of military personnel deserving of honor ceremonies and memorials.
In June, the troupe held a ceremony in Town ‘n Country for Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin E. Waruinge, a Kenyan who emigrated to the U.S. and died serving our country in 2003.
The ceremony, as are all the events held by The American Ideals Foundation (a not-for-profit group) was provided courtesy of business and individual sponsors.
Anyone interested in holding a memorial event for a fallen soldier, or who wishes to sponsor one of its events, is asked to contact the American Ideals Foundation at 641-2513. To find out more about it, people may also log onto www.freewebs.com/militaryheroesproject.
As someone who advocates for the preservation of our Constitutional rights and liberties whenever given the opportunity to speak, I appreciated hearing about this project and wanted to pass the information along.
I’m always amazed at the variations I find in the lifestyles of the many South County residents I talk with “Over Coffee” so keep those emails coming and maybe I can meet you somewhere down the road.
*Perhaps you have something you’d like to share. Or maybe you’d rather tell the community about your favorite charity or cause: or sound off about something you think needs change. That’s what “Over Coffee” is about. It really doesn’t matter whether we actually drink any coffee or not (although I probably will). It’s what you have to say that’s important. E-mail me any time and suggest a meeting place. No matter what’s going on, I’m usually available to share just one more cup. Or maybe you’d like to tune into the new radio show I’m hosting, “The Uncensored Reporter.” It’s available across the country on both AM and FM radio but so far I haven’t found out the call numbers for our area so I just direct everyone to www.themicroeffect.com on their computers Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-to-4 p.m. It’s a call-in show so maybe you’ve got some ideas or comments you’d like to share on the air. Just click on “Listen Live” and give it a whirl.
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