Absolutely perfect. I placed the last two Las Caliveras in the traveldor in the safe in the huge humidor room Dale has at his house. Dale handles all my affairs when I am gone on missions. He s the person to send any boxes too for us. He always knows what port we will be in next and gets stuff to us on time. He is the most honest person have ever met, and after 20 years he is still surprising me with his generosity towards me and the crew.
We stood in the humidor room and dug through some of the packed boxes looking for a sufficient response to this gift. It is hard to put a price on the feeling we got as we placed the last two Las Caliveras in the case. Dale will not be on the vessel with us. He had a gleam of pride in his eyes as he looked at me as I placed the cigars and counted the crew out loud. One long one for the captain, one shorter for the XO, and 8 shorter for the crew. It is only proper.
I got Dale a few shorties for us to enjoy together before I go. I got a pair of Baitfish/My Uz weighs a ton, and 2 short Tatuajes. Just a few quickies to share when the time is too short for a full sized cigar.
For those who have never read just how much the generosity of my brothers here means to me, I just can't put it in words. Every trade, every ROAK, every anything means the world to me. I have learned to appreciate the small stuff because you never know if you have tomorrow.
OpforH is a super group, and I appreciate everything I have ever gotten from them, but the kindness of my brothers here is truly touching.
Weapon X helped to complete an important dream for a memorial that is special to me as this will probably be my last deployment. TMCTLT helped me find 5 of them, and I am forever grateful.
TMCTLT tossed a bunch of Gurkha's at my crew, and whether you like Gurkha's or not, and all though it seems to some like a small act of kindness, we all appreciate those who take the time to think of us and help to make a Happy place in our often terrifying, some times boring, always lonely operations. We who go into harms way in wars and disasters are tight, but as a unit we miss everyone at home, and this next time out I hope to be able to use the new satellite system to send pictures and messages back to everyone here.
I have no family other than my wife I get to see every few years. John my XO has a wife but no kids either. My navigator is single and an older person, and the operators, the young men and women on our landing crew are unmarried so there is not a lot of family for us to look to. I suppose that is why you guys and gals here are so special to me. My whole crew really appreciate the letters we receive, the cigars, and the encouragement and prayers that come our way.
Christmas is just around the corner. This year when you get around the table with family and friends, put an extra plate on the table in memory of all of the service people and contractors that are not home with family over some very tough holidays.
My wife is a trooper, we have not had a real Christmas together since we have been married. She gets excited when I show her or tell her of the cool stuff I have received from many of you here. She even tries a cigar with me when we have a chance to get together. In the last year and 5 months I have gotten to spend 5 days with her.
I have an Opus X Opfor sent me that I am saving to share with her. She knows it is a special thing with me.
I ramble I know, but I just want to make sure that in this season of joy for so many, that you all know my joy comes from knowing all of you....even Busa.
[jester]
