The End Is Near

So now it's over. After almost three weeks straight of training without a day off I can finally sigh a sigh of relief.

During those three weeks I learned how to create a stow plan for a vessel, how to shoot an M16 rifle & an M9 pistol with deadly accuracy, I re-learned how to march in ranks & why I dislike endless meetings so much. I learned many other things as well but I'll spare you the boring details; suffice it to say that now I remember why I'm going to retire from the Navy soon after I return.

In spite of all this & how busy I have been I've enjoyed being a member of the training team to which I have been assigned. Our team had, arguably, one of the more intense training schedules but we somehow managed to keep our collective sense of humor. From the "four claps & a boom!" to singing a variety of Italian folk songs like "Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey" (don't ask) I think we have definitely made our mark. But soon we'll be in theater & we will be re-assigned according to our training & the needs of the command.

Spiritually, I can't say I've been as diligent as I had hoped I would be. Unfortunately, going to church has not been an option for me whereas the Navy has pre-empted the last few Sundays, but that fact does not in any way exempt me from blame for not doing my devotions as I should. But that should change when I get in theater. Maybe even while I'm flying over there.

Speaking of flying out I'm willing to wager that there are a few of you wondering when that that will be. And the answer to that is.... A date & time I cannot publish on this forum. Sorry. Operational security & all that jazz. But the date is fast approaching to the point that I have already mailed all unnecessary items home, if that gives you any clue.

However, although I cannot disclose the date of my departure from these familiar shores what I can do is give you all my new mailing address. It will be:

SK1 Craig Eddy
NAVELSG Fwd. HQ
APO AE 09337

Because I know that not all of you are of the Christian persuasion, I must, for the record, request that no one send me any pornographic materials or any alcoholic beverage. Not only am I not interested in such hedonism but also because it's against the laws of the State of Kuwait. And you could get me into trouble. So please, for my sake, don't! Don't even e-mail it to me.

Before I close - & before I forget! - I would like to publically thank Jerod (spelling?) for humbly serving my family by mowing our lawn. No, Jerod, this doesn't necessarily mean I'm now going to vote for Fred Thompson for President, lol! It just means I'm eternally grateful & in your debt.

Until next time, God bless.