Sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee watching the sun rise as you listen to the stillness of the morning is always a special time…
It’s that time of year, it’s time to go hunting! This post from Brigid captured the ‘high’ of bird hunting, both literally and figuratively.
Hearing only the ruffles and flourishes of the creek as it runs down it’s course, the birds chirping as the first light of morning turns the low clouds pink against the night sky, then the reds and orange colors start to stand out and ever so slowly the blues and greens of the hill side and background fill in…
The dog snuffling up under your hand, looking for a handout and the smell of bacon flying.
It doesn’t get much better than that…
And then reality intrudes in the form of the first screaming baby of the morning…
Reminding me I’m really sitting on the hotel balcony, drinking lousy hotel coffee, listening to the fountain by the pool. And the birds, well they’re fighting over the Nutrigrain bar one of the little rats with wings stole off the table when I sat it down…
And I don’t have a dog anymore because of my travel schedule…
sigh…
I do the three S’s, and head over to the Hale Koa for a quick breakfast. They have a good (and cheap) buffet for the military folks. It’s interesting that at 0630 in the morning the place is full! Obviously even on vacation military folks get up early!
I’m enjoying a MUCH better cup of coffee as the hostess seats a family next to me- It’s a young Marine who has lost both legs, and has just been fitted with new prosthetics. His wife is hovering anxiously, as his Mother and Dad look on with a mixture of pride and pain in their faces…
They are semi-arguing about whether he should be trying to walk or use the wheelchair, and he is adamant that by God he WILL walk into and out of the restaurant…
I go up and go through the line, and decide what the heck, an omelet is MUCH better than scrambled; I go off and get some fruit and come back to find the Marine standing balanced on his new legs and canes. I asked him how long, he tells me three weeks, and he’s having problems re-establishing his balance points. I joke with him about not drinking too many beers, and he grins and tells me it’s two beers and he falls over…
At that point, he smiles and says there ain’t no point in getting back up, so a couple more don’t hurt. He said the real frustration was his wife and family wanting to baby him, and all he wants is to get back in shape and get back to his unit.
His wife comes over and picks up his omelet and finishes filling his plate, as he maneuvers back to his table, and it gets quiet as everybody digs into the food.
I’m deep in thought as to what has to be accomplished, and really not paying attention until I realize all of the men and some of the wives are stopping by the Marines table on the way out, sometimes a handshake, sometimes a quiet word, sometimes just a pat of the shoulder…
Tears are streaming down his wife’s face, and his mother’s too. His dad is trying not to tear up and the Marine is just stunned. I get up to leave and I wish him the best, thank him and leave. I ask at the cashier for their bill, intending to buy them breakfast, only to find out it was already done and the cashier says everybody is asking to pay…
Things like this remind me that when it’s all said and done, the military DOES take care of it’s own, both officially and unofficially…
The military is really a multi-generational family, accepting and supporting the kids who are on the front lines today, regardless of branch or anything else; unlike those who pay lip service when the cameras are on, and do their damnest to cut the funding as soon as the cameras go off…
Sigh…
Great story. I always thank any uniformed service member I see. Some just say “You’re welcome, sir”, and others are caught off-guard, and don’t know what to say.
Too many of my friends who served in Nam got spit at/on and called names when they got back home. I never said “Thank you for serving” back then, but I always said “Welcome home” when I saw a serviceman.
Wonderful post! I always think the people of the USA are going to hell in a handbasket, and then I witness a happening such as what you described and I am glad I am wrong! There are so many of us that care deeply, quietly! Thanks for the post!And thanks for serving!
I am with the good doctor on this also. I try to thank all I meet for their service. I have the ugly tendency to take on the look of a rabid dog in the presence of those disrespectful to our servicemen and women or the U.S. flag. It’s something I know I’ll never take for granted.
I am reading your post with tears in my eyes as well. God bless them all.
America should be proud of the way it treats its military members, present and past. My (Canadian) Airman spent about 3.5 months training with a couple of your NG units in 2009, and the way he was treated, and the respect I saw when I got to go visit, was amazing, and touching.
Very nice post that makes me mindful of all our servicemembers. Its good to hear about the unofficial workings of the military and taking care of its own. I hope he and his family never want for anything.
?? for you….Is that a P3 on your page and is that what you flew??
drjim- Thanks for remembering!
Gia- Your welcome.
RWL- Thanks, and yeah, I get a little rabid too!!!
Bas- “Some” of us do it right… not all sadly…
Peedee- yep, 18 years and 7700 hours in the P-3 all over the world…
At the last KC Tea Party on September 5th, one of the honorees was a Marine Captain home on convalescence leave. When it was time for him to speak, he walked forward, wearing a Marine t-shirt, marine shorts—and two prosthetic legs.
Everyone stood a clapped and hollered. He’s leaving the Corp and will be running against democrat representative Dennis Moore for his Kansas congressional seat.
Moore has refused to have any open town hall meetings this summer and Kansas voters have long memories. Moore has voted for every tax ‘n spend bill that has come down the pike.
He’s a goner.
Would love to talk to you about Governor Perry’s race, please give me an email, JonMcClellan at rickperry.org
ahhhhh, my kids training right now and hoping to be on the P3’s. Its been her dream plane since she was little. She completed Aircrew already and she’s just completed ATT last week and is starting ATO next week. She’s a little torn recently about possibly wanting to be on the E-6B Mercury instead. Something about getting qualled in the P3 and then having to get qualled all over again for the new P8. (adding 6 months of quall time).
Any insight on P3/P8 over the Merc?? Better missions ect…
If you want to email me to get this off your comments, feel free. My emails on my info page.
I bet that Marine appreciated someone talking to him like any other man instead of a cripple. Your joking with him is exactly what is needed.
Great story! Don’t get to see many/any out here on the Island, but every time we go to America I keep a sharp lookout for them and always give a hand shake or a pat on the back. Amazingly at my age if I am wearing the hat with the wings and some of the ribbons I GET “the thanks for the service” remarks. Humbles me every time as I still have all my extremities. Ev.
Crucis- I’d support him without ANY problems…
John- I’m not in Texas, but will shoot you an email.
Peedee- P-3/P-8 is the better way to go… E6A is BORING… 🙂 Shoot me an email and I’ll respond, since I’m on the road, I can only access webmail and can’t send directly to your email.
WSF- Agreed, the last thing they want is someone pitying them…
Ev- Agreed, and you deserve it! 🙂
I would but I cant find your email anywhere on your page. 🙁
We frequently pay for meals and drinks for Service Members when ever we come upon them, especially if we can do it anonymously.
My personal belief is that today’s veterans deserve all the thanks for service. I’m not keen to have anyone thank me for anything other than passing over another beer.
PeeDee- [email protected]
Barco- Agreed!
…lest we forget…Hey, I may not always agree with “upper management” but I’m behind ALL our troops.
John