Today was a picnic!

(Sept 14, 2005)  We had a blast today!  Kathy, Aris, Ron and I accepted the invitation extended by JTF6.5 for a bbq ... and these folks know how to put on the feed!  Kudos to the cooks!

We asked that those who received shirts at the kick off, wear them, and they did.  And even more shirts came out from their barracks to be given, in turn, to fire and police departments from Heroes ... to Heroes.  You gotta love these guys!  (We do.)

We spent most of the afternoon with them, laughing and talking about hometowns .. many of which we have visited on our national tours.  There are folks there from New Orleans, who assured us that their families are okay ... from Puerto Rico ~ with a huge smile ... from Missoula, Coeur D'Alene, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Brooklyn, Boston ... and many more.  We had several requests asking if  we had their hometown shirts, some we do, and we will try make sure that they get as many of their hometowns as possible.  As for the rest, remember, contact your hometown fire & police so we can get enough shirts to take care of you all!

As the Navy was enjoying life before they leave American soil, "next door" was an Army unit practicing maneuvers.  It was nice, knowing how often the esprit de corps can separate the branches, that they were friendly and allowed a former Marine (now Navy) to hold a "saw" once more.  There was some good-natured banter among them and handshakes before we left them to their tasks at hand.  Another great group of guys ... and possible adoptees for this year!

Before we could leave, SHertz got in there and had his photo op ... that bear has some of the coolest pictures!  He had the ladies buzzing around him all afternoon, and didn't mind a bit!  The guys were checking out all his "bling" from the various departments, and offers of more pins for SHertz were made.

The gratitude for the Hero To Hero effort was evident here, they made us feel very special to be their guests.  Good food, good people, good times ... and lots of hugs ... we can't ask for much more.

I want to share something we encounter on a fairly frequent basis .. the selflessness of some of these groups.  Before we left, one of the sailors came up to us, and made this statement, "Don't make us a priority ... take care of the others first.  We have access to some things they don't".  They will be shipping out in a few days, they will not go to the desert, but they will be away from their families for a year.  They too will be without the comforts of home and family, but they still think about the others in the desert.  We love and respect their heart.  And just for the record ... To us, a troop, all troops are priorities!

Thank you all for sharing your day with us, we were honored to attend!  You all take care (even you, Cheeseball!) and hopefully we will see you in a year!  (And until then, in pictures.)

Stay safe, you will be in our thoughts and prayers!

lj & the Angels