Things I don't need to know*

After a whirl wind tour through the sunny south, Thanks in part to AIRBORNE DAD who did some kind of special sun dance for us yankees, we arrived back at Fayville on Sunday evening. Specialist Jacob and his 1500 close friends had gotten back on Saturday from there camping trip.

This trip was very special to us as we got to visit with Jacob's battle buddy, Sgt. Anderson's mother who had also recently arrived. We missed each other when our boys came back from their tour in Iraq. This was our first time to just chat and visit. It was just fantastic. For those of you who don't know Sgt. Anderson lost his father while he was stationed in Iraq. See my post of February 12, 2008. It tells Sgt Anderson's story. The story is continued on my post of 3/30/08.

Sgt. Anderson, who will now be called by his Christian name Kody, fired up the grill, got out some of his "secret Lousianna sauce" and barbecue up some fine steaks, burgers and dogs. Several of "the guys" just happened to show up at dinner time and like all good soldiers and their families they shared with each other. Even the beverage. I believe it was soda pop. At least the cans were silver like Diet Coke! Kody's new bride whipped up a southern salad of green onions, carrots, sun flower seeds, sliced nuts, and her mother's recipe for the dressing. It was fantastic.

What struck me as the oldest person there was this. First, as I looked on and listened to these young men who had just spent 10 days in the muck, mud, rain and cold there were no complaints. Not one. They discussed, no they dissected the training session in a manner of a surgeon. What went right. What went wrong. What could be improved on. How can we do this better. Jacob is the oldest and is only 28 but as I listened I knew I was listening and observing professional soldiers. The finest soldiers any country can produce. Truly, The One Percenters.

The second thing about these young men was the respect. When Kody saw me get out of my car with ABNMOMMA he immediately stood up, removed his sacred LSU hat and came to the car. He shook my hand and then gave me a bear hug like none other. He immediately went to ABNMOMMA and hugged her, a little easier then escorted her to the garage and secured her a chair. It was raining slightly and we did the cook in the garage barbecue. As the other soldiers arrived, it was always the firm handshake then the bear hug. ABNMOMMA and Kody's mother were always addressed as mom or Mrs. or mame. Lady's first through the serving line and appropriate seating at the table. Not one swear word was uttered in the presence of the ladies. Can't say as much in the presence of the men (me).

Every time I am blessed to see these young warriors I feel a sense of pride that sometimes in nearly uncontrollable. Guess, I'm getting to be an old softie. Be that as it may. These guys and gals are the absolute best people on earth, IMHO!

God Bless them for what they do and keep on doing.

*Better discussed NOT in mixed company. That's all I am saying.