Ready: What a goofy hat!!
Looks normal enough until you consider the juggling act Mary went through getting our ADTs & an AmStaff through the doors of the clinic and into position in front of the camera. Quite amazing actually.
Set: There we go - everybody hold still.
I would like to say I don't know how she did it, but I do - she was asked to come in early before the hospital opened and all of the staff came out and helped her (all 37 of them . . . just kidding).
Go: Seconds away from total mayhem!!
Merry  hristmas to all from Mary & Paul
The Jupiter Airedales:
Rio (Rio, Rio, Rio),
His Excellency Mister McGuire,
Belle (of the Ball, Belleview Belmont),
Roy Boy (Paso Robles Royal)
Terry the WADT (wannabe ADT)
MERRY CHRISTMAS
from Kuwait
They are having a big Christmas celebration up at Ali Al Salem airbase today - all day long from 10:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.. They have a Christmas parade, a banquet in the dining facility (the D-FAC as it is called on base - some of our ITT wags call it the DEEP-FAT) and a talent show at the recreation hall. The dining hall is fully decorated with traditional Christmas "deck the halls" garlands & Santa Clauses & reindeer and they have beautiful, pleated red & green bunting encircling an immense gala table.
There is always a small table set just inside the entrance door to the dining hall with a loop-back cane chair propped against the table. The table sits on its own with a crisp, clean, white table cloth and a table setting & flowers for one - this table is a tribute to soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The table is always set to receive them.
On one wall of the D-FAC there are thousands of cards from school children & people from all over America wishing our service people well & a speedy journey home. To walk & read this wall is a very moving experience.
I am going to slip up there today (it is about a 100-kilometre/60-mile round trip) and share some Christmas cheer with our ITT folks & the service people. I have not yet seen an Airedale service dog accompanying a Military Police person but I will see one of their dogs when they inspect my vehicle. I cannot touch these guys because they are working, but if you could scratch the ears of one of your guys that would be the next best thing for me. I will imagine I am with my big guy Mister McGuire and we are out at the voice command dog park playing catch with the tennis ball - a slobbery, cold, wet, slimy tennis ball (grin).
Especially today, I am and will be thinking of my family in America - my Mary & the Jupiter Airedales & YOU. You, all of you, are my extended family, both while I am away in Kuwait and when I am home. We are connected by a purpose, experience & a spirit that comes from the hearts of our marvelous black & tan friends - that is our common bond.
I wish the very best for you as the sun comes up on your Christmas day - that time is about three hours away or more as I type this Christmas card to you. Have a wonderful time with family & friends - talk for a moment today with friends & family about all of the service people that are away from home doing a job that is somewhat thankless at times but which is incredibly important to us so that we can have the peace & safety of our very special country. Trust me, you appreciate it these things so very much more when you do not have them.
Have a wonderful 2007 and thank you for sharing your joys & your sorrows & your wisdom throughout 2006. A big thanks to the originators & moderators of this forum that make this communication possible.
Happy Holidays to everyone . . . from the sands of Kuwait
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