21 July 2018 |
At any rate, thanks to my kids I've been to a U.S. Navy ship christening, USS Nitze (DDG 94, The Naviguesser's second ship), and two ship commissioning ceremonies, USS Nitze and USS Colorado (SSN 788), the latter courtesy of The Nuke.
I've had the chance to ride two aircraft carriers, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The former was thanks to The Nuke, she was in ship's company as a nuclear propulsion officer, and the latter was thanks to The WSO, she was in USS Ronald Reagan's air wing as a Naval Flight Officer.
I still remember the day I was out in California visiting The WSO and her tribe when my son motored down from where he lives, over a two hour drive, and asked if I'd like to go down to Sandy Eggo for the day. The plan was to pop by The Shakespeare Pub & Grill for a spot of lunch, a place where Lex used to "hold court," as it were. While there I got to meet Tuna face to face for the first time and the good Cap'n of HMS Defiant and his lady.
We had a nice repast, had a Guinness or two (surprise, surprise), and great conversation. It was an afternoon well-spent. While there my son took me over to Fort Rosecrans, where the earthly remains of Captain Carroll F. LeFon, Jr. are interred. It was a very emotional day and my son drove us ten hours, round trip, just so his Dad could visit a place very meaningful to hisself. Long drive but we got to spend some father/son time together which we hadn't been able to do since he was in college. Now here he was, all grown up, five years in the Navy under his belt, chauffeuring the old man around Southern California.
Had a nice surprise from The Nuke a couple of Christmases ago, a chance to attend a Denver Broncos game live and in person. (Photo of us is in this post. Okay, we're hard to see, trust me, it's The Nuke and Your Humble Scribe.) Now that was a lot of fun. The roar of the crowd, football on the field, and a rather nice bratwurst for half-time. A bit different from the Christmas dinner we'd shared in the officers' mess on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower when she was in port at Norfolk, but every bit as special.
The WSO also surprised me with a trip to the F/A-18E simulator out at NAS Lemoore, courtesy of her husband, Big Time. That tale was told here, can't believe it was six years ago!
Anyhoo, the kids treat their old man pretty damned good, it's humbled I am.
Now t'other day on the Book of Faces, loyal reader Valory mentioned that "we've never seen these kids." While I'm sure she has, I thought I'd reprise a cuppla pictures from when the youngest granddaughter was baptized out Sandy Eggo way. Might be before Valory became a Chanter, but the following photos are from this post.
The same crowd, taken from the other end of the table. |
🤔
Very Nice Pics of a Very Nice Family!! And isn't it great when you work at raising up polite children and then they turn around and are just absolutely fantastic people. You're like "Wow, he turned out all right after all!" Very Cool!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your family time Sarge…
Wow!! I think I am first today...and it isn't crack of o'dark 30...
Thanks Suz!
DeleteFirst you are!
A fine looking family and their achievements show that they were raised by good parents.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get the dining out force field that keeps every other patron far away from your group?
Good post, and I'm smiling.
It was a mid-afternoon meal, we were the only customers in the place.
DeleteMay have been by design as Big Time's Dad set it up. A great time.
Yep, some good kids there. I'm happy to have met most of them. I'm sure I'll meet the Nuke at some point on one of my Navy Yard trips.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. 😊
DeleteBeautiful People! What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThankful I am!
DeleteA fine looking crew there Sarge. Man, three and a half years ago for the last two photos........ time gallops by eh?
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does, turn around, and it's gone.
DeleteBe careful, Sarge, or Valory will assigning you picture taking expeditions. 🤪
ReplyDeleteHahaha!
DeleteHey Old AFSarge;
ReplyDeleteYou and the misses done good. Seeing how your kids act and behave gives me hope for the future.
There are a lot of good kids out there, the idiots get all the press. But I think you know that,
DeleteNice looking family, enjoy your time with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Paul L. Quandt
Thanks Paul. We're having fun.
DeleteYa done good in the offspring department, there, Gandalf!
ReplyDeleteHeh. Thanks Scott.
DeleteI wish the Rolling Stones had payed at Fenway Park. Gillette Stadium was an echo chamber. I have seen the Stones 4 times now, about every 12 or so years. This last time was by far the worst and it cost the most by far.
ReplyDeleteFenway is a great venue, the stage was in center field and the sound was great.
DeleteToo bad about the Stones.