First and foremost: Happy Birthday Jan! Today is Jan Cleaver's birthday (September 17th). For a quick update, she's successfully moved to Philadelphia with her boyfriend Anthony, she's currently job hunting - (but I know you've got that job at Temple in the bag J.C.!) and adjusting to the differences between Suburbia and City Life. I can't wait to see you again honey, I hope you have a spectacular birthday!!!
Let's see, some exciting news here from the front lines of Al Anbar province. After 2 months, the chow hall has switched from red jello to orange! Also, Chuck Norris came to base to pay everyone a visit yesterday, and while I personally didn't go to meet him, one of my colleagues went and said "Even though he must be like 70, he hasn't changed a bit and he still has his sandy colored hair!". In other news, I won a game of computerized Monopoly last week. It was very exciting. All that, AND I got sent new socks and shower sandals from some Soldiers Angels to help my Athlete's Foot (which is markedly improving)!
Alright, on a more serious note, it has been kind of busy here at work. I've been preparing a set of required briefs to give the squadron on tips how to transition from deployed life to home life. These "Return & Reunion Briefs" might seem second nature to some of us, but for other younger Marines they serve to remind them of what they can expect and what they shouldn't expect when they return. The period just after a deployment is often plagued with DUIs, Legal Infractions and screw ups which tend to have long term repercussions on the Marines. It's my job to prevent as many of these occurrences as possible from happening. I'm also conducting PDHAs (Post Deployment Health Assessments) this week. The purpose of these forms and interviews with every squadron member is to address any medical problem that may have come up during this deployment and also identify Post Traumatic Stress Disorder early enough to be identified and treated. I take this job very seriously - it is one of the most important things I do out here - Preventative Medicine.
35
The one photo is a view from Jan and Anthony's rooftop in Philly (taken last week), the other photo is of Jan and I taken by my sister during my PRE-deployment leave home. The final photo is of, well, uh, Jell-O (incidentally, orange is my least favorite flavor of Jell-O) :(
9 comments:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN!!!! Hope you enjoy a wonderful day!
Wow a visit from Chuck Norris. That is kind of cool. I understand busy. I know you are taking great care with our Marines. I'm glad to hear that your feet are feeling better. As for the orange jello, I have no words for that other than yuck! The magic number is 35! WOW Now the time is just flying by. Take care my friend talk soon.
Angel Love,
Susan, Christopher & Justina
Hi RJ!
Happy Birthday Jan from another Pennsylvanian! Hope it's a great one. Red Jell-O is much better than orange, I agree. 35 and counting, that's great. I know you're taking good care of your Marines. Keep up the great work!
Stay safe!
Always in my prayers,
Missy
Wow...homage to moi? Thanks, RJ! :-) (And to those bloggers who have wished me a good one!) I think today will be a good day after I call State Farm and get my auto insurance adjusted.
Erm, let's not be too hasty about Temple... :-) I'll keep you posted!
Sorry about the orange JELL-O. Frankly, I can't stand the stuff, period. But I agree with Missy that red is probably better.
Only 35 more, RJ! You're in the home stretch!! Hang in there.
And take care of your feets...
Love ya,
JC
Happy Birthday Jan!! It has been fun reading about your friendship with RJ. :)
RJ...thank you THANK YOU for the job you're doing. Those Marines are lucky to have you...we're all lucky to have you! :)
Orange jell-o. Ugh. Nasty feets. Ugh...
Coming home in 35 days...YAY!!!!
One of these days I'll get out to Hawaii to meet my Uglies!
*hugs* Jules
Happy Birthday Jan! If you need any help w/ philly let me know I am the unofficial mayor. Just ask RJ.
Jello.....orange.....guess nothing really needs to be said about that. lol!
Good luck with all your post-deployment work. I understand how those things happen. I'm sure you will save some soliders from making some stupid mistakes.
peace! V
T-MINUS 49 DAYS to Mexico
Another Happy Birthday, Jan! :-)
Glad to know your feet are feeling better. Been praying for you!
What can I say about orange jello? HMM... What can I say about any flavor jello?
Sounds alot like some of the things they were talking about on "Jarhead: Bonus Material" last night. It really is a huge transition for some of them. And if they don't have anyone to come home to it's like they're fish out of water, so to say. I'll be praying for them and for you.
Take care of yourself, RJ. You're doing an awesome job with your men. I'm very proud of you. 35
PS: Love the pics. Well, 'cept maybe the jello. :-)
Me..I am a big fan of blue jell-o, maybe that would liven things up if they start serving blue jell-o, lol. Well I will be seeing you in a few months (can't wait) and you make sure you prepare those marines for post deployed life, I am sure you will do a great job!
Happy birthday Jan! Hope all is well--haven't heard from you in awhile...
I actually like orange jello, but I like orange flavored things...but the best is Berry Blue. Just ask Kiera. :-)
Talk to you soon!
Happy Birthday Jan! Reading RJ's blog has brought you great fame across the country. I hope it is great - and maybe you should try Geico :)
Sorry about the orange jello. I like grape with whipped topping. Love the pictures. I can't help but smile everytime I look at the photo of your niece & nephew. How adorable can two kids be!
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