It's Been a Sad Week

I was talking to one of my co-workers the other day and mentioned that Ed McMahon had died. He went on a diatribe about how celebrities really don't mean anything to us and he doesn't know why we care and there are much more important things to care about, etc., etc. Maybe I do get too wrapped up in some strangers' lives (I get my “news” from People Magazine), but I learn a lot too.

I’m sad that Paul Newman died. Besides being a lot of fun to watch in movies and wonderful to look at in pictures, I learned that talent and beauty does not necessarily make a person happy. Paul Newman had many flaws and was as fallible as any other less gorgeous mortal, but he used his gifts to help a lot of people and bring a lot of joy to the world. He had a great sense of humor and I laugh every time I see his Cesar dressing on the shelf at the grocery store. Although I never met Paul Newman and didn’t know him personally, when he died I felt like I lost a hero and a friend.

I’m sad that Farrah Fawcett died. The first time I saw her was on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine (I’m pretty sure this was before the “Charlie’s Angels TV show). I thought she was so pretty, and I stared at that cover for a long time. I wondered in my mind what it would be like to have a flawless body and perfect hair, skin and teeth. In reality, I think she really was a nice lady, but, as with Paul Newman, I learned that every physical blessing will not bring good luck. Even before Farrah died I discovered that a flawless exterior does not make a perfect life.

I’m sad that Michael Jackson died. I know he had enormous financial, moral, ethical, legal and personal troubles, especially the past few years. I know he had way too many enablers, doctors, hangers-on, yes-men and lackeys. I also know that Michael Jackson had staggering talent and that his songwriting, singing, dancing, acting and choreography brought delight to many, many, many people in all parts of the world. What a hideous waste.

-o0o-

I saw the notice on the door of the library when I went to return a magazine; all members of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry were not allowed inside until further notice. By the time I returned to the USO (about 45 seconds later) we also had the sign posted on our door. Inside a sergeant was at the front desk asking if he could go through our building and remove all soldiers from the 442nd. All the wireless Internet at Camp Virginia had been shut down, but the library and the USO have hard-line connections. Just like back in February, this squad was cut off from all communication with the outside world. The terrible news was that there had been an accident on convoy in Iraq where a vehicle had overturned and crushed a soldier. The soldier who was killed was 23 years old and had visited the USO many times.

Camp Virginia is a largely transient base. A lot of the troops we see at the USO are pretty happy because they are on their way home. We have McDonald’s and Taco Bell, movies, carnivals, pool tables, poker tournaments and volleyball games. Sometimes being here feels like summer camp. It’s not.

Where is Sigmund Freud When We Need Him?

I've tried for days to not write about one of the TC4ME Marines I'll call "Bear" (not his real name), but what I see and what I hear just doesn’t compute and I feel compelled to post.

When I first met Bear I thought to myself "What is that skinny kid doing in the Marines?" I interacted a little with him at the bar-b-que back in May, but I didn't really talk to him much until about three weeks ago when he started coming in to the USO on a regular basis. Bear has one of the most distorted self images of anyone I know.

He thinks he's fat. When he comes into the USO he tells me "The Fat Guy is here." The kid wears 30"x32" jeans, although he told me this morning that the 30" jeans are pretty baggy. He’s about 5'9", and depending on what day of the week it is, between 125-130 pounds. He tells me, “I know it's hard to believe they stack sh-- that high." I put out some M&Ms the other day. Most of the troops will take a handful or even put some in a cup to eat. Bear really likes M&Ms, so he gingerly took two from the edge of the pile. He didn't want to eat too many and gain more weight.

Bear describes himself as "Trouble" or "The Troublemaker," but he is one of the sweetest young men I’ve ever met. He’s always gentle and helpful with the troops and the staff at the USO, even when we're busy and everyone is impatient. Unlike many of his cronies, at age 22 he has managed to not father a child and has never had a DUI. Even though Bear says he's “good at pushing buttons and messing with people's heads,” he’s insightful, amusing and relaxed with his friends. When I speculate on his sardonic attitude, he says, “It's my life."

Bear constantly describes himself as stupid, yet I observe that he is articulate, clever and smart, with a keen sense of humor. He calls the computer "that evil box," but he is more proficient and accurate than some of the Duty Managers. He points out time and again that he is ugly, but in person and photographs he is adorable.

Bear and I tried an experiment to see if he could go 24 hours without saying anything negative about himself. He claimed he would have absolutely nothing to say. I told him that would be fine; that he should just try to go one day without saying anything bad about himself. He's tried it two times so far but says he doesn't know if he made it all the way through the 2nd time.

The reality is that Bear is a marvelous guy. He’s likeable, generous and kind; he’s funny and fun to be around. We just need to find this boy a new perspective.

United Through Reading

One of the best and most important programs at ours and almost every USO is United Through Reading (UTR). In the past we had done about 40 UTRs a month, but with Bettie at the helm, promoting, ordering supplies and keeping our books up to date, we now do approximately 20 per day (although today, Fathers' Day, it looks like we've done about 50 so far). Steve is a huge fan of U-T-Ahhs. (He's still looking for an R.) The way a UTR works is that the mom/dad/uncle/aunt/grandparent/soldier picks a book and then reads the book to his/her son/daughter/niece/nephew/grandchild while we record on DVD. The soldier can then send the DVD home to the child along with the book so the child can read the book while watching the DVD. It's a very touching and heartfelt program. I can barely help anyone pick out a book without getting teary-eyed. One soldier wanted to read but said he would not use a certain book because his friend had read that book for a UTR then was killed in action. They played the UTR recording at the guy's funeral. We do not promote UTRs as a last testament, but at least the family has this wonderful memory. Sometimes someone will say that their kid is too old for a UTR. I tell them that I did UTRs a couple of months ago for my kids: I read The Giving Tree to Leorit and Love You Forever to Bo. I don't know if my kids liked the books, but I certainly enjoyed reading to them.

The comment cards we receive are effusive: "Great program!"; "One of the best things ever."; I really enjoyed this."; "I love the opportunity to share expressions of love from so far away."; What an excellent way to connect with the kids while away."; "Thank you so much for this great gift."; etc., etc.

-0o0-

I'm currently reading Once Upon a Town, The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen, by Bob Greene. It tells about the 12,000 citizens of a small town in Nebraska who welcomed and fed over 6,000,000 (yes, that says six million) traveling troops during World War II. I'm only on page 52 and so far have used two paper towels (equivalent of 4-6 tissues). Kind of makes me want to be a part of something wonderful and patriotic like that . . . oh yeah, I am a part of something wonderful and patriotic like that. The book was sent to me by Karen Kearney, one of the "Pool Girls." Pool Girls Karen and Alexis Lewis send care packages of candy, cookies, etc. on a regular basis. The troops like the cookies, trail mix, brownies so much that some have vowed to move only to towns that have Trader Joe's.

Ink

IHoP

The USO hosted a pancake breakfast last Sunday in celebration of the Army's birthday and Flag Day. We had fresh pancakes, made on our brand new electric griddles(not pre-frozen) mixed with blueberries, chocolate chips and bananas. We also had blueberries, strawberries, powdered sugar, warm syrup and butter for toppings. The Marines griddled and we all ate. Of course the pancakes were delicious and a good time was had by all. Since we did not have a lot of transient troops on base that day and most of the permanent troops (all Army) were working their regular shifts, Christine, Bettie and I took pancakes, toppings, syrup, butter and fresh, hot coffee (donated by Starbucks) out to their service areas. Everyone loved the care packages so much and we so enjoyed delivering them that we hope to start delivering fun stuffs as a regular feature from the USO.

Welcome to Your Home Away from Home

One of the things I like best about the USO at Camp Virginia is that it's so "homey." We keep the neon lights shut off and use area lighting. There are a lot of couches, pillows, easy chairs and it's ok to eat and put your feet up. The pictures show some of the guys just hanging. That certain Corporal may look like he's deep in tought typing on his computer, but he's actually sound asleep and remained so for many more minutes.

The other day I walked by one of the TV areas. One of the troops was laying on the couch with a pillow and a blanket. (The AC is out of control so sometimes it gets pretty cool inside the USO. The troops love using blankets to keep warm while they're watching TV or a movie.) This guy had his arm hanging out with the remote in his hand and was just laying there channel surfing on the TV. Looks more like home than deployment to me.

The same day I passed another troop laying on the couch watching a movie with a bunch of people. I swear it looked like he was almost sucking his thumb. The next time I passed I saw that he had pulled the blanket up over half of his face. I'm sure I know what was happening under there. I doubted what I saw until I mentioned it in the office and Chemetrie said, "Oh yeah; that big Army guy? He was definitely sucking his thumb last night."

Bettie says that we're not trying to be people's living room, we're hoping to be their den or family room. She's so right. I absolutely LOVE it when the troops feel so comfortable and "at home."

Put Another Candle on the Birthday Cake**

We had another going away party for the remainder of the 2nd MEB on Friday. It was actually for Labaran's birthday, but we couldn't tell him that. There was even an appearance by the highly elusive S.Sgt. Kessler. (He's in the back, next to Labaran, behind my right shoulder in the picture.) Labaran had made big plans to celebrate his 30th with is family and then he ended up staying here for a few extra weeks, so we had cake for him. I think he was only slightly surprised.

The rest of my TC4ME Marines from 2nd MEB are here for another 8 days, finished with their work, bored silly out of their minds with nothing to do. So I suggested they build us an office in our loft. Sgt. Wise works in his dad's construction company and claims to be a carpenter so he immediately started taking measurements and making plans. Now there's a ton of plywood up there. So do you understand why I like these guys so much?

The weather continues to be . . . It poured again yesterday, for about 20 seconds. One guy came into the USO and his shirt was drenched. Next thing I know, it's completely dry outside, no sign of water anywhere. It's been in the mid-120s. Do you know how when you open the oven to check on a cake and the heat hits you? That's how it feels when I open my bunk door to go outside. I think it's actually singeing the hair on my arms.

I went to the gym 7 out of the last 9 days! It's not a heavy work-out, but at least I'm there (thanks to ST). Where do I register for ROCK STAR?!?!


This conversation is the funniest thing I've heard in awhile:

Me: Here. Somebody left this measuring tape for you.
Sgt. Wise: Just put it in my hat [sitting on the counter] over there.
I'll pick it up when I leave.
Me: That's funny; you call it a hat. Why don't you call it a "cover"
like all the other Marines do?
Sgt. Wise: Do I look like freakin' crock pot to you?

The 2nd MEB is almost complete out of here. No more writing about them after they leave. I promise.

**Do you remember Sheriff John?