Dan's been kinda down in the dumps lately... with finding out his life is to be turned upside down again since he'll be re-called to IRAQ in January,2005.(USMC-R) This means leaving school again...putting life on hold... cell phone on vacation...credit cards on hold with SSA. (soldiers & sailors act)... In general... phooooey...
So, Jay, (oldest son, 26) sailing on the Harvey Gamage... tall ship (teaching vessel) calls Dan and since he's going to be anchored off the coast of Georgia for a few days, come visit... So Dan, ever ready for travel and adventure is off for the 10 hr+ drive to Georgia from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Dan (21) arrives, meets with Jay, they spend quality time together (between their two schedules, these very close brothers have not seen each other for any length of time in the past 6 months or so). Dan gets to see the ship... and ends up being invited to join them for the next 10-14 days... sailing to the Bahamas and San Salvador. WOW... What an opportunity...
Three possible problems...one.. Dan has a USMC-R drill during that time, but he has a satisfactory year since he did extra active duty at Blount Island, Fl. So he calls the base and his platoon Sgt gives him the green light to miss the drill... one down... Two was the question of whether or not Dan would need his passport anywhere along the way... Captain say... nope... Three, school... Dan says no problem, can make up the work... ok then...
Dan calls me, says don't laugh... but... Then he lays it all out. Should I go he asks? I've told my kids from early on (after their Mom had passed away)... we are never sure of what tomorrow will bring... in your lives there should be NO shoulda, coulda, woulda's... If it's not illegal and won't hurt anyone... go for it... And so he's presently sailing on a tall ship with his older brother... I am so happy for him...You go Dan... Thanks Jay!
Somewhere in the Caribbean, Dan (left) and Jay (with guitar) sing Harry Chapin songs...
I hope to hear from them soon. Dan is going to have to hop a flight (hopefully a military jump) from southern Florida to Georgia to get back to his car... and return to Baton Rouge... and back to school.
He'll be home for Thanks Giving... and the family will be here to be with him before he goes back to IRAQ (Jay won't be able to make it as he'll still be on the ship) More about Thanks Giving later... Sometimes life's little pleasures can mean so much.
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