RCT-7 surgeon plays harmonica to pass time in Afghanistan

Photo By Master Sgt. Skyler Tooker | Cmdr. Rodney Pray, the surgeon for Regimental Combat Team 7, pulls out his harmonica and plays a few songs whenever he finds a little down time while in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8. Pray, 56, is from Ashland, Ore.  

MARJAH, AFGHANISTAN

09.26.2010

Story by Cpl. Skyler Tooker 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

MARJAH, Afghanistan - Whenever Cmdr. Rodney Pray, the Regimental Combat Team 7 surgeon, has a little down time, and isn’t working with the Marines and focusing on the mission, he reaches into his pocket and pulls his harmonica out, plays a few of his favorite songs from the “Rolling Stones,” and relaxes.

Pray, 56, from Ashland, Ore., started learning how to play the harmonica back in the 70s. He said he and his friends used to go for hikes on the countryside in southern Oregon and practice their harmonicas out where no one could hear them play.

“We would take our harmonicas with us when we would hike in southern Oregon where there were giant hills and boulders all over the place,” said Pray. “We would sit on top of the giant boulders and play our harmonicas and listen to the echoes in the canyon.”

Pray went from the giant boulders in southern Oregon to the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., where he started his military career.

Still lugging his harmonica around with him everywhere and after serving in the military for a few years, Pray learned a few songs associated with the military.

“It is a small easily portable instrument that you could take to the field, and with the Marines I could play Taps and evening colors,” said Pray.

After his obligated time in the active duty side of the military Pray went on to the Marine Corps Reserves in Salem, Ore.

“In late November of 1990, I got called back to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield,” said Pray. “I went to Twentynine Palms where I stayed on active duty until May of 1991.”

Pray stayed with in the Marine Corps until November 1991 when he found out he had been accepted to medical school. In 1995, Pray went active duty in the Navy as a lieutenant.

Pray still serves active duty with the Navy, and still carries his harmonica around while deployed with RCT-7.

“I have picked up a few songs over the years,” said Pray. “All the songs I have learned, I have learned by ear and then it is just a matter of getting comfortable and confident that you know the song.”

Pray has learned many songs over the years of just messing around with the harmonica. He has also learned the Navy, Marine and Army fight songs over his time in the military.

Pray has been asked and has played his harmonica at various military ceremonies such as the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, where he played the Marines Hymn during the cake-cutting ceremony.

“The Marines have made me feel very welcome, and I am grateful they have given me a home in the regiment, and allowed me to be their doctor,” Pray said. “Anytime a doc can serve with the Marines, it’s better than serving with anybody else.”

Pray said the Marines with RCT-7 have made him feel so welcome, that they don’t even mind when he pulls out his harmonica in the tent, and plays a few tunes for them.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2010
• Date Posted: 09.26.2010 13:06
• Story ID: 57012
• Location: MARJAH, AF