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Memorial Day 2013

Way back, a long time ago, I was a Soldier. When I got out of the Army, I put my experiences in a locked box somewhere in my head, and decided to move on with my life. Now, I am a Sailor and I am a lot older. I think a lot more about my military service and experiences. Most of all, I think of the people I met in all the crazy places we were in. A Sergeant Major, on the day of my Basic Training graduation, said to us "The hardest part of your military careers will be having to say goodbye to your friends.".  Yes, SGM, you were absolutely right. I recently got in contact with my old platoon leader from my 61st AMC days.  He sent me some photos of our platoon - the ones that struck me the most were the ones from a platoon cookout - young men playing football and grilling bratwurst. I still can recall the names and faces of my friends and comrades, and the places still are familiar in my memory. I remember when I was brought in to see Top when I reported in to my first unit. He was an old guy, ready for retirement, and when he looked up over his glasses across his desk at me standing at Parade Rest, he narrowed his eyes and growled "How the hell old are you, Private?". It never occurred to my teenaged self that I looked too young to be playing Soldier.  Now, as an officer, I look at my enlisted kids, and wonder if we were ever that young.

I remember Hector. I remember Bruce. I remember John. I remember them all.

Happy Memorial Day.

It has only been like, what, a hundred years?

Wow. When I started this blog, I had no idea where it would go, or where I would be at. I know I have been off the grid for a while, and I apologize to you, my faithful readers (all two of you). A lot has happened in the stretch of time since I last put fingers-to-keyboard. I am still working at the crazy little science lab, but no longer doing testing - nope, I got legitimate and moved up the food chain... into a position that seems to have no real job title or any real boundaries as to what I really do.  I call it "ethereal employment". You need something done, you call me. The Reserve-thing is still spinning along. Looking for another job. Yeah, all is ut semper omnia.

Right at this moment, though, I can't really complain. Last night, as I was driving home, I was just in a lot of physical pain; it had started in my back like I had wrenched something, then eventually spread to my ribs, like I had separated some of them, then I had trouble breathing. Just not fun.  Woke up this morning, and it was all gone.  I attribute it to stress, and probably sleeping at a weird angle.  The good thing about my job is that I get plenty of physical exercise (no being chained to a desk for me!), and keeps me on the move. The bad part? Well, sometimes I move in a direction that a part of my body objects to and, Voilà! Une profonde douleur.

Outside, the world has turned green again, and that is enough to make all feel well. Now, all I need is to brew up a cup of Tim Hortons, and this will be a really good day indeed.