It's Hotter Than July!

LCDRs NEPTUNE AND MEADE SUCCUMB TO THE HEAT

'BUTTER BETSY'

ME AND DR CARR AT STEP AEROBICS
OUR BELOVED AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR BELOW

4TH OF JULY PRAYER BREAKFAST WITH GOSPEL CHOIR

LADIES DAY AT TQ

Sorry for the long delay from my last entry. Patient flow has picked up a bit and we're busier these days. We've finally made it into July! Only about 6-8 weeks to go. We had a festive 4th of July with a large feast at the DFAC (dining facility). Your choice of steak vs. BBQ (or Both!!). We thoroughly enjoyed the decorations throughout the chow hall including Betsy Ross ("Butter Betsy" as I like to call her) and the two incredibly ugly dinosaurs (I have no idea what they have to do with Independence Day). There was plenty of Welch's Sparkling Cider and Near Beer to go around. We also had a TQ Surgical picnic the following Sunday after the fourth, complete with a series of spirited volleyball matches that had heavy officer involvement (including me and I'm still sore!).

Everyone is truly excited about beginning to make re-deployment (return home) plans. The light at the end of the tunnel is looking a bit bigger than the pin prick back in March. Many of us are from commands all over the place. Some will have to fly back overseas (Guam/Naples, etc.) after we return to Camp Lejeune.

One of the things we wanted to do before leaving was have our own American Flag flown over the base. You can buy a flag and have it raised on a special day such as the 4th of July. 2nd MLG will then make a nice certificate signifying the occasion. The certificate has a nice synopsis of the history of the air base at TQ, with interesting facts like the chemical weapons bunkers here and Saddam's plans calling for disassembly, burial, and re-assembling of the MiG fighter aircraft seen parked around the base.

Our FMF (Fleet Marine Force Qualification) course is winding down. We've received lectures on nearly every aspect of the U.S. Marine Corps and had some very interesting site visits and will start our oral boards for qualification this month. I can probably speak for everyone by saying that we're happy it's coming to an end. I think the overwhelming interest in getting back home is alittle too hard to resist.

In true military fashion, everything must change, even our aerobics instructor. He's headed home, so we're continuing with a Marine Corps Staff Sgt, so there's not much let up in her intensity. I've lost about 15 lbs while here, which is great, but the REAL challenge will be the up coming winter back in Connecticut. There's just something about short days and cold weather that makes me want to rest, eat and 'fatten up' like a hibernating bear.

A big thanks goes out to LCDR Neptune for many of the pictures for this post. I can tell I'm starting to wear down as I'm not taking as many pictures as I did in the beginning. Living your life in such a confined space shares a little likeness to prison life (without the fights and open showers Thank Goodness!). I'll try to keep the blog updated regularly as we begin our wind down.

P.S. A big farewell goes out to LT Nicole Stewart, our psychologist, who is back home. She was replaced by LT David Burke from Naples (Welcome Aboard!). Apparently the psychology special leader mandated that all deployed psych docs have their license, therefore LT Stewart was sent home and can complete that requirement. She can also enjoy the comforts of friends, family, and home.

Take care