As the clocked clicked down on the Cowboys - Eagles game on Sunday, I knew another clock was ticking down as well. I had chosen the football season as my deployment countdown calendar. That the Cowboys stomped the Eagles was just a bonus. I have been sating my goodbyes for a couple of weeks. My office had a nice farewell party and I had started observing my "last" observances of everything. Saturday was my last church service, my last visit to the store, my last Powerpoint brief and my last lunch and dinner from the DFAC.
Speaking of last dinners, someone informed me of a departing tradition called the "All Dessert Dinner". As tempting as this sounds, I decided to not partake of the tradition. However, I did have a piece of Turkey themed birthday cake from Thanksgiving, our cakes are frozen so this was not an overly ripe leftover. In addition to the cake, I had some ice cream, it's unheard of to have two desserts. Our DFAC has the dessert bar located far away from the regular lines. A trip to the desert bar is either a walk of shame and guilt or an act of brazen devil may care hedonism (your call). One trip is bad enough but I was not prepared for the stares and the stunned silence of the DFAC patrons :)
A 2,000 calorie meal was exactly what I needed to schlep my 6 bags of equipment across the Middle East. The bad thing is that I don't remember what was in most of these bags. I received most of the gear at Ft. Jackson a year ago. The various camping supplies went into sea bags and laid dormant under my bed for a year. I will be glad to get rid of all the various leftovers from World War II.
I am at Victory Base awaiting another hop on my long road home. It's nice not having to work for a few days. I was working almost until the last minute, the US taxpayers received maximum value in my case! Victory Base is the same location where I was last April. It reminds me of a stagecoach rest stop. The main waiting area has a large shaded Pine deck and roof. Everyone is waiting to go somewhere else. Unlike transportation back home, it can take days for your plane to show up. Passengers are given a priority and people are often bumped to another flight.
Time for dinner...you always want to eat and sleep when you can, you never know when you will be able to either.
Thanks for putting my tax $'s to full use; as if I had any doubt. To be quite frank Mark, your return sounds about as boring as your trip out there; what a drag! I hope you have a speedy and safe trip back! Looking forward to getting you back in the States!
See ya soon,
Jason
Posted by: Jason Genovese | January 06, 2010 at 08:47 AM
We have our countdown calendar going, too, even though we don't know the exact day of your return. We all love you and can't wait to have you home for good!
Love, Me
Posted by: Teresa | January 06, 2010 at 08:51 AM
Glad to know you are on your way home.
God Speed.
Roger
Posted by: Roger Herrington | January 06, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Dito here so glad you are on your way home. Dan said it doesn't count tell your feet are on American soil. We are looking forward to that anouncement.
Love ya
Posted by: Fran Robbins | January 07, 2010 at 08:16 AM
Happy to hear you are on your way home! Stay safe and take care.
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Slough | January 07, 2010 at 02:46 PM
Congrats on a safe return.
Posted by: mygenx | January 07, 2010 at 07:23 PM
Thanks to all for the warm wishes.
Posted by: MidnightMustang | January 11, 2010 at 05:30 AM