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What to Do Today
I'd love to visit Arlington. I only live about a 2 hr drive away. Finding a place to park is one thing, but once there walking to any of the venues is more fun than I can enjoy these days. So, I'll stay home with my dog and a couple or more beers. Hot as hell in Tidewater today. Humidity at ~ 75%. In the breeze out front are the US flag (got a new one...last one had to be retired) and my USN First Navy Jack ("Don't Tread on Me") flag. (Not the Tea Party banner. All our ships have flown the First Jack from the jackstaff since 9-1-1.) The local Ruritans at dawn put up a border of flags along the main drag in town, and that's nice to see. Later on I'll BBQ a big assed steak (girl-dog will get a good share...what the hell); maybe ribs or brats, and grill up some asparagus. Going to make sun-tea in case some non-alcoholic alcoholics show up. Make a pot of strong-assed coffee, too. Will spend the afternoon sitting on a screened in porch, write in my journal, and maybe later tonight I'll watch "Saving Private Ryan", although I always get pissed at the cheesy fellow who protected the SS soldier. Watched "Mister Roberts" and "Operation Petticoat" last night on TCM. What the hell...I'm a sailor. People on motorcycles or in trucks pulling boats will blast past to/from wherever they were on this their third day off. Can't help but think of the vets long gone or those wounded and suffering over the fact that they can't do the same things, but I know if they were here they wouldn't bitch.
Throughout it all, however, I won't be able to get the people off my mind who're standing mid-watches tonight at sea, or soldiers sweating their asses off in IZ or AF and can't help but be sad because they didn't get a care package from home today (or for the past month for that matter), or maybe they did and it nonetheless makes them grieve to be home, the parents who wonder how their kid's doing (my God, if it were me my hands would be wrung off), or the ones who agonize the horror that they are now alone and will not enjoy their son, daughter, husband, wife around them again. Maybe some of them will get to send an email later, but IT notes aren't the same as a hug or a pat on the back, no matter how often you can send/receive. By God's grace, I'll bless the ones who gave it all for our America, my America. I'll thank the ones out there still putting ordnance on target to save my old fat ass. I'll thank them with all my heart as if my thanks made a difference. They are the ones making a difference.
God bless and protect them all. I dearly love every mother-son and -daughter of them.
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v/r,
LarryW
"Do not go gentle into that good night..."
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