HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Well, we made it to Mother’s Day 2007. Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, Patricia, my wife, Tanika, my Aunts, Martha & Mary, my sister, Cara T, and to all the mothers in my family.

Guess what…? IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT. The thermometer tells the story. The interesting part about the heat here is that the wind is very hot, like a hair blow dryer, and it doesn’t let up at night. We lament over having to wear our uniforms now, and the Marines rules about uniform wear don’t allow us to modify their appearance. Everyone must keep there sleeves down while deployed out here. There are also rules as to what amount of physical activity is allowed depending on the temperature outside. Recently, any prolonged physical activity during the day has been prohibited.

Congratulations, are in order for CDR Lew Dyer, who was promoted to CDR on May 1st. He was fortunate to have Brig Gen Kessler of 2nd MLG to preside over his promotion ceremony. Lew is the senior nurse in our company and goes out on flights as an en-route care nurse. I’ve known Lew since my days in Naples and he certainly is well deserving of the promotion. Bravo Zulu!

We also had another celebration on May 12th for two birthdays. LCDR Carr and LT Smith were the honorees. We went up to an open air porch lovingly called the “Bada Bing.” It’s a place where Marines from the Air Wing wind down to relax while smoking cigars and sipping on near beer. I must admit that I’m a cigar novice, but I didn’t want to be the odd man out so I struggled through smoking a couple of Cuban cigars. I didn’t realize how strong Cuban cigars were until I started seeing music and feeling colors. However, it was a great time and a nice break in the monotony.

We’ve started having base movie nights. Every Wednesday and Saturday night a new movie is shown outside. The movie is projected on the side of a truck bed or on a clear wall. Unfortunately, you must be in uniform to see the movie and it’s still about 90 degrees at 8:00 pm. We usually don’t let that stop us. The MWR people pitch in free popcorn and sodas as well.

Another interesting project is MCMAP or Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The Marines will teach anyone interested in learning Martial Arts leading toward the acquisition of belts. The first belt level is tan, then green, gray, blue, brown, and black. CDR Haughton and LCDR Neptune are both hard charging participants of the program and I got some pictures of them qualifying for their tan belts.
Pictures:

Digital clock showing the temperature of 112 degrees in the lower left corner

The birthday boy and girl, LCDR Carr and LT Smith

Me struggling through my Cuban cigar

The Crew at the Bada Bing, (back row LtoR), LCDR Meade, LT Martin, CAPT Jernigan, Me, CDR Haughton (front row), LCDR Neptune, LCDR Carr, LCDR Cross

More TQ Surgical Caps

TQ Nurses (picture taken for Nurse Corps Birthday)

CDR Haughton and LCDR Neptune during MCMAP testing

CDR Dyer looking stoic at parade rest

Pre-muster before CDR Dyer's promotion ceremony

Me at the popcorn stand prior to the movie

TQ movie night showing the end credits of "Happy Feet"

A stop/warning sign on the back of a Humvee