Fare Winds and Following Seas

Well, as they say in the Navy when anyone is about to depart on a long journey, "Fair Winds and Following Seas".

Last night was my going away soirée at the Southside Medical Aid Station. I made Bruschetta. I know, a little odd, but let me explain. Karen Yamada, one of the Soldier's Angels, heard that I just couldn't wait to have some good Italian food again, so she sent me a "Make Your Own Bruschetta Kit". It included Italian bread crisps, seasoned tomatoes, freshly pressed olive oil from Sonoma County, CA, a very fine balsamic vinegar, sal du mar, freshly ground black pepper and fresh basil. She also included a chef's hat. I assume for two reasons - to help me get into the spirit of preparation and to pay homage to one of my life long dreams of going to culinary school and opening up a restaurant one day. Anyway, despite the roaring laughs I got, it turned out spectacular! Comments during our appetizers were "Wow! This is actually edible" and "Holy Cow, this is quite good!" It was a moment you had to see.

After our appetizers we had dinner at the chow hall and then came back to enjoy our typical Saturday night on the deck - something we did every two weeks during this deployment to pass the time. Basically, we played Uno. You can tell by the expression of my face that I had less than desirable cards. :) But it sure was fun, especially when a "Draw Four Card" fell underneath the deck and I volunteered to crawl under against all odds of being bitten by camel spiders and scorpions to retrieve this most important card.

The action figure in the other picture is Staff Sergeant "Stroker" - a wind up toy sent to one of my colleagues Justin by one of his buddies. When you wind him up his right hand moves up and down (look closely). As childish as this was, last night we passed the time in part by putting SSGT Stroker in various compromising, provocative positions and winding him up. I know I know, but it's kind of funny that a group of 8 normally serious medical professionals uncontrollably laughed their asses off to this stupid toy soldier. I guess you had to be there.

At the end of the night I said goodbye to my comrades and we drove back to "The Northside". By Northside and Southside I refer to the North Side of base and the South Side of base. It's funny really, it's like driving to a different town through the barren dessert fifteen minutes away. In actuality, the South Side is directly across from the flight line, but being that you can't just strut across the landing strip, you have to take the long way around.

This morning I packed my two sea bags and my roommate and I cleaned out our room in the barracks. I couldn't believe what I found behind my rack up against the wall... my Gerber pocket knife that my mom bought me for Christmas!!! I swore that I had lost it in the laundry 3 months ago and I even went out and bought another, cheaper one to replace it. It was the find of the deployment (next to the Emerald, I mean Jolly Rancher, of course). We continued cleaning. We threw away the sheets that covered our bunks for privacy, we swept up the sand and dust balls that blanketed the floor and corners, we cleaned up the mouse terds that were freckled atop our racks and in the corners, we put our TV that gets extremely poor reception of the AFN network in the hall, we chucked our dirty faded white plastic shelving units, we folded our clothes, and then we went to the squadron for a formation.

This morning was our "TOA", or transfer of authority. It is a traditional ceremony that occurs when one squadron "stands relieved" and another "posts". In essence, it meant the official end of our mission. Not to brag, but The Ugly Angels did a spectacular job here on base. Even the MAG CO stated that we set a precedent here - we had no mishaps, no major medical injuries and we exceeded the expectations of our mission, without complaint. We are being talked about by Generals all over base and over Iraq as one of the best squadrons in the Marines. Seriously. I feel proud to be a part of such a winning team. I also know that your prayers helped us to have an exemplary performance. Thank you. Here is a link to a recent article that was published about the Uglies:

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/FrontPage%20Stories/Ugly%20Angels%2070,000%20hours%20of%20doing%20it%20right.aspx

Well, this is it. I have been corresponding with an Acura Dealer in Honolulu and to my luck, a single black Acura TL Type S is on a boat headed for Honolulu as we speak. It is the only automatic black car the dealership is getting and as a courtesy he put a hold on it for me so I could look at it when I go back and have first dibs should I want to buy it.

My apartment is ready and waiting for me to arrive.
I took Passport Photos the other day here on base and I have an appointment next week in Hawaii to get that done (for an extra hundred bucks you can get a passport issued to you the same day! Who knew? But of course, money makes the world go round).
I have a rental car waiting for me to pick up upon my arrival.
Thanks to all of you I have phone cards for the Uglies and I to call home during our journey back.
I made an appointment with the Movers to move my things out of storage for a week from now.
And finally, I charged all of the batteries to my laptop computer so I'll be all set for the plane ride.

Tonight, I am going to go to the DFAC (chow hall) and gorge myself with as many fattening foods as I can. I have disciplined myself for 2 months but tonight, it's all about fried Cheese Sticks, fried Chicken Fingers, cookies, cake, ice cream and TUMS! What the heck, my last supper. Unsure about the plan for tomorrow as yet, but this could be my last chance.

Please pray for a safe and speedy journey home and the next entry should be with even more smiles from either sunny Hawaii or sunny Mexico! I will notify everyone via e-mail when I next post to the blog just as I did for this entry.

Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank You Very Much) for your thoughts and prayers and I'll see ya all on the flipside (literally).

Peace!

-RJ