My soldiers

Every week I go to what we in the know call a DEMOB ("deemobe"). Don't you just know I called it Demob the first time I saw it. It's short for demobilization, meaning you (the soldier) are just home and having to sit though hours of information about where to go for your physical, your insurance, etc. If it was me I'd be hearing Charlie Brown adult voices after a) 15 months of battle, b) a really long plane ride that could have involved multiple layovers and hurry-up-and-waits and sitting around on a duffle bag still wearing the clothes I've worn since last month. I am telling you, these guys are GOOD.

Anyway, I went to the DEMOB, and as always, I asked "Where are y'all from?" Turned out, they were (all 200+)my National Guard Unit from South Carolina. I usually start my little speech with "I'll be brief", which sets off the "hooah" I have come to know and love. Not on this day, because I had to yell out to my peeps. Welcome home, I remember yelling. I got a hooah. Once again, hair stood up on my arms as I looked out at them.

I did my briefing, and then the soldiers had a break. We were all walking out together and a soldier asked me "What part of Charleston are you from?' I said, "Mount Pleasant." He said (help me Jesus) "I'm a Mount Pleasant Police officer!" I said "Excellent! When are you getting back home?" I was thinking oh hot dog! A friend on the force! Anyway, after talk about the real estate market we were about to part ways. He said " See you in Mount Pleasant!" I said" Uh yeah, but I promise I will not be breaking the law." He laughed.

I actually ran into him again today in the Soldier Support Center. There are thousands of people here and he held the door for me. I said"When do you go back to Mt P?" He said "Tomorrow. Maybe we'll see each other again under better circumstances'" I said" If you see me under better circumstances I will not be going too fast in my red Volvo." More later.

The Thai Place

OT, here's one of my roses.

I knew I could find a place that serves great Thai food with nice people on the job. Fortunately, it's only a block away from The Fabulous Hampton Inn.

The first day I went for lunch "The Price is Right" was on the TV in the front, Asian Soap on the TV on the back. The Asian Soap was almost as much fun as Tella Novella. Anyway, as the nice lady brought me my tea, she wailed,"I miss my Bob Bakkah!" in that heavily accented English I have come to know well over the years. 'He's so handsome!" Her devotion was so great.

They fixed me a great lunch, asked me about myself, and were kind and accomodating in general.

I went back the next week and saw they had added a lunch buffet, which has turned out great for them and me too. It's fast, delicious, and full of soldiers in a hurry.

I was there today and told the son of the lady in charge that I grow lemongrass and would be happy to bring some when it gets going this summer. he laughed and said his mom had his yard so full of lemongrass and everything else, that there's no room to move. She's my kind of girl!

Notes to Self

Working on an Extemely Large Military Installation takes some acclimation. Here are my observations:

1. Get used to being called Ma'am all the time. I used to ask people not to call me that for 2 reasons: it makes me feel old, and in the South "ma'am" can have some classist implications. Oh well. "Ma'am" it is, all day every day.

2. Don't get freaked out when, while driving down the street, big Star Wars-like vehicles bedecked in camoflage barrel toward me.

3. Get comfy with the fact that people on the post often carry very large weaponry. It's OK. That large rifle lying across that soldier's lap (aimed directly at my leg) is not loaded during dinner.

4. Everybody looks good in a beret. I think I'll knit me one in a nice summer cotton so that I might fit in and look good too.

5. Watching soldiers march into a hangar after 15 months and a twenty hour plane ride makes me cry every single time. Arm with tissues and wear no mascara to the Welcome Homes.

6. Ditto for the Good Bye Ceremony. REALLY difficult and so sad.

7. Never forget how lucky I am to be able to help.

I'm sure there's more. I'm just really busy all the time.

What is that, Thelma, the ARMY?"

Yes it is. I went to my first Green Ramp today and became popular with all the grandparents because I took Kleenex. Those Kleenex people should go to "Welcome Home, Soldier" ceremony to advertise their product, I kid you not. An Hispanic woman stood next to me at one point, barely five feet tall, long braid down her back, hands worn from work. She had tears streaming down her face. I gave her a kleenex. We didn't need any spoken words at all.

One man took a picture of me handing a Kleenex to his crying friend. Another man took a tissue and said "I'm a weenie." I said "You are NOT! Real men are not afraid to cry, especially at a time like this." I gave him two.

First the soldiers came off the plane and lined up on the tarmac. I got chicken skin.Lots of waving, hollers and tears. Then they marched into the hangar, where the band began to play the National Anthem. I'm telling you, it was a sight. They faced us, all handsome, tan, weary, but thrilled. The Chaplain said a prayer, the Colonel said "Hooah!!! Welcome home, now greet your soldier!" and away they went. I have never seen that much making out since I was in a college dorm. Whew. I took pictures for happy couples and greeted those whose families couldn't make it. One soldier shook my hand and it hurt. That boy was glad to be here. They all were. I asked one "What are you going to do now?" He said"Mow the lawn." Great idea. Welcome home.