The Marine has Landed!

Autumn arrived this weekend with nice brisk temps.  The leaves will be turning very soon.  As I sit here at my desk, I can't help but think about a time not to long ago when September signaled a frenzied level of activity in the Murtaugh house.  Liam, Rory and Keefe kept the schedule full from morning to night.  This time of year I miss those days but I certainly don't miss the exhaustion. LOL!

I received two (2) wonderful surprises this weekend.

At lunchtime on Friday, Keefe called to check in. The battalion has reached it's final destination in Afghanistan.   He sounds rested and adjusted to the new timezone.  We chatted for about twenty (20) minutes. And of course when we said our good-byes...I cried. So what's new.....I'm a crier. 

Sunday after mass, a parishioner, who's son just shipped off to USMC Boot Camp, handed me a loaf of chocolate chip banana nut bread.  Her daughter, Callie, was thinking about Keefe and family so decided to bake a treat for us.  When I got home, I cooked a little bacon, made scrambled eggs with jalapenos (both from our local CSA) and cheese, grapefruit and chocolate chip banana nut bread.   Delicious!!!   Thank you Callie!

This week on NBC Nightly News, Lester Holt, will be reporting from Kabul.  Tonight he will be interviewing General John Allen, USMC.  General Allen is a 1978 graduate of the Naval Academy. 

When Keefe was a USNA Plebe, General Allen was the Commandant of the Marines.  Every November Marine's celebrate their birthday with a Marine Ball.  The Naval Academy host a Marine Ball for the Marine's in the area.    Keefe had volunteered to help out the evening of the event.   He was standing with some Firstie's at the hospitality area, when they were approached by the ranking Marine Officer at USNA.  The Officer turned to the Firsties saying "Who has been assigned as Gen. Allen's escort this evening?"    The Firstie's responded "We forgot".  The Officer turned to Keefe and said I guess this is your lucky night!  General Allen will probably not remember this particular evening.  However it will be a memory that Keefe will always remember about attending his first Marine Ball.

Semper Fi!