Da Goddess

Camouflage is My Favorite Color

My son used to always say that camouflage was his favorite color. You know, sometimes semantics really aren't all that important. We all knew what he meant. And we all felt the same about our military.

Today - the point was made yet again.

I know I'm going to leave a few people out. Please forgive me! 28+ hours without sleep and I'm a little fuzzy.

I met an absolutely Smashing couple, an Armed Liberal (who is very handy, by the way), Captain Poopdeck, and the man behind American Digest. People without blogs. People who didn't even know what blogs were. Everyone was there for the same reason. To help out.

I drove up to Camp Pendleton immediately after work this morning. I made great time and was warmly greeted by a group of very cold people. Yep. It was a wee bit nippy and a little sprinkly (don't mock my words tonight...please. I'm fragile, okay?) this morning. But, that's okay. We survived. We also waited. And, waited. And, then......we waited. With great company, though, it didn't really matter. I enjoyed talking with everyone and was especially enchanted by three little girls who joined their parents in a day of giving.

Excuse me. I'm a little verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves for a moment. Ahmad Rashad in a sombrero. Amusing or disturbing? Discuss.

Thank you. Okay. I'm back.

When it was finally time to head out to the area where we were to be assembling packages, a nice young female Marine had us form a convoy of sorts. Off we went!

If you've never been to Camp Pendleton, it's difficult to describe just how large the place is. We drove and drove and drove and drove and then................we drove. As we approached the Canadian border (hey, we were CLOSE!), we made our first turn. Out through the rolling hills and past numerous artillery ranges, over the river and through the woods....we finally got where we were supposed to be.

Camouflage and blue t-shirts.

You know what? Just thinking about it gets me a little misty. I don't think it's fatigue. I think it's because I really feel so honored to have been among so many caring people. People who want strangers half-way around the world to know that America cares.

The drive home was rough. I saw a coyote as I drove toward the main gate on base. I saw a tank crossing sign. I saw an oddly colored bus on the freeway. And, I saw just how scary I looked.

By the time I got home, I was beat. I looked like hell, I smelled like hell, but I felt pretty damn good.

I enjoyed meeting everyone! You are all such wonderful folks. THANK YOU!

I'm slowly but surely editing photos. Those who were there get to see them first and have the choice as to whether or not they'd like them made public. If you were there, e-mail me (or leave a comment here) and I'll send you the link.

The Marines - well, they always amaze me. I can never express my gratitude enough to the men and women in our military. Those with whom we worked today were wonderful examples of all that is right in our armed services. Hug a Service Member today, would ya? And let them know that camouflage is your favorite color.

Posted by DaGoddess at January 21, 2004 11:13 PM