In Training

Homecoming parade for Royal Marines

is protested by anti-war creeps. 

3 Commando lost 33 men during their six months in Afghanistan.  The article states that one in five of the total soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan since '01 were from 3 Commando.  They fought, and they fought hard.

My family is proud of you guys!  So glad you're back.

Think Before You Speak - Day 1

Royal's had a tough week.  Not only did he work in the 100 degree heat as is normal (don't get me started on the humidity!) but he was unfortunately part of a hurtful conversation with a co-worker.  You'll see what I mean...

I'll introduce the characters:

Royal: My husband, recently left the Royal Marines.  His job in the Marines?  Royal Marine Commando Sniper.  He asked to be sent to Iraq straight out of training and it was a yes.  He served in Iraq and other places I have not yet divulged to my readers.  Royal's time in Iraq was fairly quiet - by fairly I mean they were mortared and rocketed.  Royal spent most of his time on patrol and has many a terrifying story.  Thanks be to God he and his buddies never found themselves on the business end of an IED and never had to experience hand to hand combat. 

In his almost 5 years of military service my husband was not sent to Afghanistan.  He volunteered three times and each time was told he was not needed there (for whatever reason).  If I had to pick something that I believe Royal would change, it would be a trip to Afghanistan with the Royal Marines.

My husband is not a big talker.  He rarely opens up about the serious stuff he dealt with while in the Marines.  It's a common thing for military men and women, they'll tell you funny stories until the cows come home... but not a lot else. 

Ron: Just graduated high school and will be attending university this fall.  He is Royal's main co-worker for the summer. 

Larry:  Another co-worker.  Recently left the U.S. Army as a Sergeant.  Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

_________________________________________________

On this day, Ron was speaking with another worker (Arnold) about their upcoming church camp, with one telling the other how much fun it's going to be. 

Royal told his young worker Ron that if he wanted to have some real fun -- join the Marines!

Ron replied with...

What I've Been Reading - April & May

AKA the Book Challenge.

Here we go!  Still a little behind schedule -- I'd love to say that I've read at least 10, but it's not the case.   Simply haven't made the time to do so. 

It's been a while and I can't remember exactly when I read what, so I'm mashing April and May together.  Hope you don't mind.

Marley and Me by John Grogan.  As a dog lover (and the proud owner of the most attractive Scottish yellow lab out there) I was very moved by this book.  Cliche as it is, you'll laugh and you'll cry... and thoroughly enjoy the book!

Into the Breach: A Year of Life and Death With EMS by J.A. Karam.  I started this book ages ago.  Way back in January.   I usually devour books but...  this one was tough to get through.  It is interesting learning about the EMS.  I'm always game for that, but I really didn't care for the writing.  Next time I'll try the same subject, different author. 

Forgotten Voices of the Great War by Max Arthur. This was a book I purchased at ASDA while living in Britain.  I was so in love with shopping for books while we were there!  All these British authors writing from the British point of view - not something I get a lot of in the one bookstore in my town back home.  It's a collection of stories from the real people (British, of course!) that were involved in World War I.  Absolutely fascinating.  My only complaint is that I wish there were more of it!  I also own Forgotten Voices of the Second World War and Forgotten Voices of the Holocaust. 

Total for April / May: 3
Total so far this year: 14

Month of January.
Month of March.

Day of Birth

Today's my birthday.  I am now closer to 30 than 20.  Holy cow!  I'm all growed up!

So, the song for today is Alright by Darius Rucker because his cd was a gift from Hubs for the birthday (we saw him in concert a while back - AWESOME. love him. recommend.)  This song is just so... cheery!

Thank you, Royal Baby for making me happy on my birthday! Thanks for making me happy EVERY day!

Seriously cute chocolate

I mean really!

But...

it is chocolate so I ate the little guy anyway. 

June 6th, 1944

Today is the 65th anniversary of D-Day. 

If you don't know about it, today is a great day to learn.  What better way to honor the day than spending time learning about the brave men and women in the armed forces at that time. 

Blackfive, as always, has a fantastic post with many, many links.  You can bet I'll be on there for a while. 

Always remember.

U.S. Immigration Interview : Part III

Begin with Part 1.

Yikes, so I forgot something that should have been in Part II!  How embarrassing, right?!  As soon as we walked into the Immigration lady's office she'd asked us to be seated.  Then she asked us why we didn't have an attorney present.  We explained the quickness of the interview date.  She allowed us to step forward and sign a waiver saying we were aware our attorney wasn't present and that were prepared to deal with whatever came of the whole thing by ourselves.  What a way to start one of the most important interviews of our lives!  Then came the phone call about the doctor:

Then she got on the phone and started speaking to someone about the doctor Royal went to for his mandatory medical exam. She asked the person on the phone when they stopped accepting exams from said doc. She asked the person to send her that email.
I remember thinking, oh hell no. No you don't. See, they give you a list of doctors that they will accept sealed medical exams from. Royal had to travel an hour to see this guy, and it was ages ago!
Surely, they weren't going to reject us because they didn't have an adequate medical exam...

How We Spent Memorial Day

Royal picked up a bottle of Warrior port some time ago.  He wanted to save it for a special occasion. 

Port is the drink that Royal Marine Commandos use to mark the corps birthday, October 28th.  Because of that, it's also the drink used to mark any extra special occasion for a Royal Marine.  Any port will do, but my Royal especially loved the name - Warrior.  It's what he is. 

Sitting around our dining room table on Memorial Day 2009 we drank a toast to both of our armed forces,
to a friend who just made it home safe from Afghanistan,
and to those we've lost.

RIP Elmsy. 

Every day be thankful for our Warriors.