Cool Story

S. got to visit for the weekend, so today we had to take him to the airport. His flight was delayed, so we went to IHOP for breakfast. We sat at a table next to an older couple and I tried to keep the boys as quiet and civilized as possible.

As the couple finished their meal, he said to S (who was in uniform) "Thank you for your service." S. said "Thank you for saying that, sir."

The guy told us that he was in the army (his wife was quite a cheerleader. She interrupted and said "He got two bronze stars for Valor and two purple hearts...one of them was on Valentines Day." )

He asked if S was familiar with 1-16 Infantry. S said, "Yes, actually that's where I am right now." He briefly explained that he was training and how it works, etc. The guys said "Do you know of Bandito Charlie?" S said "Yes, in fact, a few nights ago we were talking in the barracks about why the unit would have the name "bandito" instead of something with a C.

The wife said "He (pointing at her husband) was the original one!!" The guy explained that they have a large "alumni" group (what do you call that in the army?) and that they might go to Ft. Riley for their reunion next year. He told S that he was the company commander when they were changed from one division to another to incorporate a heavy unit into the light one (I have only a vague understanding of the details, but S knew what he was talking about.) Apparently, when they switched, the soldiers in the company wanted to keep the name. It had to be approved by many levels higher, but eventually was approved and they got to keep the name.

I was focusing on the kids coloring, because these are my hardest days (not to mention that I ALWAYS cry on Sundays!!) so I didn't look up until the lady said "Well, God bless you for what you do, and God bless your wife too." I looked at her and she said "I understand what you're going through, honey." I said "This is not my best day." She said "Goodbye day." I said yes and kind of started to cry a little, and she got up and hugged me.

She asked our names and if she could add us to her church's prayer list. The kids all told her their names, and she asked mine and I couldn't talk so the boys told her. They started to leave, and I stood up and said to the husband "Thank you for your service, and welcome home." In high school, my mom told me that if you meet a Vietnam vet, you should always say welcome home because no one said that to them when the came home in the 70s. I never forgot that, so I always do it. Anyway--I said it to him, and he just looked at me, and grabbed my hand and said "Thank you so much."

A few minutes later, she came back in. (It was raining and she was already wet!) She had a piece of paper and wanted to write our names down so she wouldn't forget. It was really sweet.

We finished eating and the waitress came over and said "The gentleman who was sitting next to you paid for your breakfast." I've read about stuff like that, but I haven't ever experienced it. It was really cool. I will remember that someday when we are older...

We took S. back to the airport and we got to go to the gate with him. It was hard to say goodbye there and the boys cried quite a bit. I finally told him to just go, because if he had waited until everyone else was already on board I might have just completely lost it. So, he went...we yelled "I love you" as he went through the door and then we all sat down for a minute and cried really hard.

Then, we got it together and started out the door. I told the boys "This is the hardest part. From this minute on it will get a little easier all the time." I hope I'm right. I know the "Big Goodbye" will be harder...but for now, we can just focus on today.

S. brought the kids some dolls from Operation Give a Hug. They have a little window over the face. So, it looks like this when you get it:

And then like this when you put the picture in.

I'm really behind on photos, so here are some from Tball/Baseball season. I didn't get any good ones from the talent show (R sang "This land is your Land" with some other kindergarten military brats--they brought the house down!) but I think my friend did so I will put them up later!