Expanded After Action
Report
Well we did it again, a spur of the moment mini reunion
held in Orlando, Florida on Saturday Aug. 30th.
Babysan and I left the metro Washington, DC area around
seven Friday evening for Orlando. We were on our way to
rescue Babysangirl (Haylee, Marks daughter) from a moving
quandary, solved only by taking several pieces of furniture
back home with us. We drove all night only to stop once for
a few hours of sleep. Babysan got the front seat of the
pick-up and I the bed. Ah, just like Vietnam, swamp insects,
humidity and all. On the way down we were able to contact
Jack Schwarz by cell phone and asked if he could put
together a mini for Saturday night. He called Bobby and
Jeannie Anderson who gleefully agreed to meet with us. After
checking into the Haylee Hilton Hotel we cleaned up and met
everyone at the Outback Steak House for food and cheer.
As always it was such a pleasure to see Jack and lovely
Karen, his wife once again. Jack, I still have no idea how
she puts up with you. After spending just a short time with
Bobby and Jeannie in Las Vegas last year it was a delight to
sit and talk with them. They are still working hard and
raising a family. Jeannie, thank you for sharing the story
of your journey to find your birth father (John Anderson,
our fallen brother) and most importantly, thank you for
taking that journey, for we would never have had another
little sister. In the truck on our way back to the hotel we
realized there is no nick name for you. So, we decided to
call you "Little Sister, Sister" from now on. Thank you for
being born and coming into our lives, the world is a better
place because you're here. Yes Troopers, you were in our
hearts as well for we talked about all of you and the next
time we will all be together. I hear Lake Tahoe next July.
Looking forward to that.
Sunday morning we loaded the truck and stopped for
breakfast at the local Waffle House. Keeping in tune to the
spur of the moment thinking Babysan and I share, we figured
it would be cool to drive over to Pensacola to see Matt
Hilton, (Babysanboy, Second Lieutenant, U.S.M.C.) and his
lovely bride to be, Sarah. We pulled into Pensacola around
6:00 pm and had dinner with the both of them. A great time
it was. We left around 9:30 pm and headed for Jackson,
Mississippi home to "Kim", that very special lady in
Babysan's life and his family, the Hallman's (Tiny and
Jeannie). We arrived around 2:30 am and fell into bed. For
those of you who met Kim on the cruise I think you'll agree
with me when I say the best way to describe her is to say
she is the epitome of the Southern Bell. The Hallman's are
best described as the epitome of Southern Hospitality. After
30 minutes I was no longer a stranger, but an adapted family
member instead.
Early Monday morning we were awaken by Keith (Mark's
cousin) and his wife Carolyn, we were informed that we had
another one and a half hour drive ahead of us. Mark's other
cousin Janiece (Sissie) and her husband Ben invited us to
their Labor Day cook-out. We had a grand time, good food,
conversation and swimming in the hot Mississippi sun. As it
goes with something like that we became slave's to time and
headed north to Jackson once again. Back at the Hallman's we
had a quiet dinner and then sat around for more good
conversation. We turned in early with intention of leaving
at first light for home.
The only one up and out of the house on time was Tiny who
kind of got the rest of us stirring before he left. I was
out in the garage preparing the truck for the 14 hour trip
back to DC when Babysan and Kim came out of the house.
Babysan, clad in just a towel and Kim clearly in a rush to
leave, for she was late for school. She put her belongings
into her car and drove around to the driveway leading to the
garage. As she was approaching the drive way I said to
Babysan "You don't have a hair on your ass if you don't
flash her as she drives by. Wanting one last kiss, Kim
stopped at the driveway and got out of the car, as she
walked up the driveway, Babysan, in the finest tradition of
the First Cavalry, and in particular C-Troop, 1st of the 9th
Cav. opened the front of the towel for all to see, to
include the neighbors strolling by with their newborn child.
I was sure I heard him say don't look Ethel, oh no its too
late. Let me see if I can describe Kim's face. The first
time she looked you could see horror, disbelief, shock and
surprise. The second time she looked her eye's were as big
as the headlights on my truck and one could have put a honey
bun hole into her mouth. It was this look that caused
Carolyn to spurt out her interpretation of what poor old Kim
saw. She said all she could imagine was the General standing
at attention with his two privates hanging in the breeze.
Before we fell to the ground with laughter, Im sure I heard
Babylon ask "Do you go for casual sex, or should I dress
up)?
Babysan and I never get lost; we just discovers
alternative destinations, and as such Im always glad to be
along, for I meet the most wonderful people in the world.
Thanks to all who shared this week-end.
With my warmest regards,
Bill
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