[tongue-tied]

Thank you for your service...

Thank you, ALL of you, for your continued support.

I know I've got it easy on the ship, and contact with those on the ground is rare. But to me, it is amazing when we have to send a rescue detachment into Iraq or nearby (to fix a broken jet) and the folks we send talk to Marines or Soldiers on the ground.

The ground pounders all want to know about OUR cruise so far, what liberty ports we've seen or will see, if we've had Wendy's, KFC, etc. and how many months we've been away from home.

To a man, those that talk to them say the guys eating sand are motivated, extremely proud of what they do, and truly happy just to talk to an "outsider" for a night. They share stories; but mainly want to hear ours.

But thanks for the thanks. Believe me when I say we pass those "thank you"s on to the ones sleeping in the sand whenever we can.

[rwrcpa1]

Add another "thank you" to the list, to you and your shipmates, as well as to those you encouter on the ground.