FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ HUMAN BEING ~ 03 February 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

HUMAN BEING

In January 1997 my family and I PCSed from Camp Lejeune to Okinawa. On the trip from the east coast to LA where we would board the Freedom Bird, we decided to take a few days for sightseeing in San Francisco. We stayed at the BOQ in Naval Station, Treasure Island. One night my wife sent me to the convenience store for some milk. On the way I saw one of the old boat hangars lit up. There was a beehive of activity around the huge building, with cars and people coming and going from the parking lot.

I approached the security guard and asked what was going on. He explained that Treasure Island was being turned over by the government and that Hollywood studios were now using the old hangars to make movies. Fascinated by this discovery, I asked what movie was being made in that hangar. He said it was a film called Flubber starring Robin Williams. Robin Williams is my favorite and I asked if I could go inside. "No!" he firmly said. The guard and I continued to talk and he mentioned he was from the Bronx. What a coincidence, so am I! I then asked once again if I could go in and he said ''Well, I guess it's ok, but don't touch any equipment".

Stepping inside the studio was like Alice going through the looking glass...people running around, actors, cables, lights, sets, props all over the place. I then watched the basketball scene as it was being filmed and I could see Robin Williams at the other end of the sound stage. I hurried to the BOQ and told my wife what happened, to which she said, "sure...!" "Put your coat on, dear, we're going back." In a few minutes we were watching the filming with our 16 month old daughter. In about a half hour, the day's filming ended, and Robin Williams began to leave the set. He walked in our direction, closer, closer, closer, then right next to us! My wife ran up to him with our daughter and asked for this autograph. Robin Williams bent down, lifted up our daughter and started making funny faces and voices to entertain her. Many of these voices were recognizable from Good Morning Vietnam and Mrs. Doubtfire! He asked who we were and we explained we were in the military headed to duty in Okinawa. He said how much he admired people serving in the military, gave us his autograph and wished us well.

I reflected on that thrilling encounter many times since that night in Treasure Island. Here was a major star, an Academy Award winner. He could have just walked by and not want to be bothered. Yet, he took time out to make total strangers feel important. What a splendid example of human decency, humility and concern for others. What a marvelous example for us all...to love our neighbor as we love ourselves!

Chaplain Mitch Schranz

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours, Luv. Thank you for the hymns.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Everybody behave themselves?

Rest well, Arrowhead...

[Cindy]

A blessed Lord’s Day to you Kathy.

Stay well and have a good week.

[beachn4fun]

Thanks Ma

AWESOME, I know

I could only watch til almost the end of 3rd quarter but then had to go to sleep. My son can fluff off the Ravens but from what I’ve seen they’re a darn good team.

[Arrowhead1952]

Everybody behave themselves?

For the most part. Several had a few too many beers.

[Son House]

Oh yeah, you are going to do well if you can implement some of the sleep tips, I seem to have more discipline in what I eat too. The blue blocker glasses (they say amber lenses are good enough, but I got mine from Amazon) to filter the white lights are great for watching tv at night, by 8:30, 9 o’clock I am done. C affine is only for the week ends now, and my exercise program is getting top priority again.

The hardest part is getting the cats off of bed, I bought them there own little beds but only one is being used. I keep the tab for the sleep tips open and read it over just to remember stuff I would normally forget or haven’t read. Good luck Kathy, and sleep well.