Day 51

Memorial Day 2011...it was a day that started so-so but ended fabulous. This morning, I awoke to hear that my 7am flight was being delayed. The destination airport at Theme Park #1 was closed for a Ramp Ceremony. That's code for someone died and ceremonies were taking place on the flight line to send their body or bodies home. I had heard about this suicide bomber attack a few days back and this was the result of that. So, I headed out and laid in the sun for nearly 3 hours with a few soldiers from Finland nearby. While out there, I thought that some Zac Brown Band sounded really good so I turned some on. Right around the third song, it stopped. I looked down and here's what I saw (see right). So, for all you iPhone owners out there, it IS possible to overheat your iPhone! HA! Anyway, 3 different helicopters came and went before we caught the 4th one. We had to wait because a big Army unit had priority. Eventually...about 4 hours later, we hopped on the helo and headed on back. Once back, we scrambled back to the German dining facility for a quick lunch. I had serbian meat rice. It was really good! The Germans know how to run a international dining facility. I was eating with Hungarians, Croatians, Americans, and Germans. Flags from these countries and about 10 others stretched across the room. Here, you couldn't tell it was Memorial Day...they had no clue. So far, nothing felt like Memorial Day, yet. Back home, everyone still slept.

I got back to the terminal and boarded a tiny, TINY jet to head back to WDW where my room, gear, and office awaited. I have to say....I am very thankful for the connectivity I have back at WDW. I am fortunate that much of my time is behind a computer with reliable internet access. Being on the road...or in the air...or in the sand where the infrastructure simply doesn't exist, made me really appreciate what I have back here. The flight was uneventful except for our approach into WDW. That was the scariest descent ever and the smallest plane I'd ever been on. That plane was rarely straight ahead...even as we began to touch down. I was so happy to finally have that over with. Luckily, the little bear was with me. Here it is, high over the mountains. :-) Still hasn't left my side...and won't!

After landing, I heard music playing nearby and sure enough, an Army band (picture a barbershop quartet lineup and sound) was playing patriotic tunes next door at the USO and they were grilling brats, chicken and serving some wanna-be beer. I tried the German variety...not so bad! I hung out for about 45min to an hour and just relaxed. The band was excellent and it was great to see folks having a good time on this day. After that, I hauled all of my gear several blocks back to the office. Drenched in sweat by the time I got there, I crashed in my chair and of course, immediately started uploading photos!  I started the upload then zipped over to the laundry drop-off to pick up my laundry from last week. I was totally out of anything clean so this was a priority. Once back in the office, I got all of my photos uploaded, a video of the band on YouTube, and headed on back to my room. Been there ever since!

Back at home today was our small town parade. My home town has less than 8,000 people in it and this parade brings out the most people each year and the forecast was fantastic. Throughout the parade, I had multiple people, including Dorothy, sending me photos. It was almost like I was there!  My parents own a local business and they decorated his truck in red/white/blue and the whole family threw candy throughout the parade. The best part? They put a banner alongside the bed of the truck honoring all veterans and naming me and that I was serving in "Oz." They won first place!!!!  I have to say...they really did awesome and it meant the world to me. If you're friends with me on our favorite social network, you've gotta check out my Memorial Day 2011 album. They did such a super job! The album is a collection of all the photos they were texting me during the parade. Thanks to you all!!!!

My girls also got their 2nd set of DVDs, courtesy of the United through Reading program and the USO. I hope they like their new books. Have you picked up yet how often I benefit, courtesy of the USO? They are such a great organization who does so much for our troops. If you ever have the chance to support them, please do! Today, them and Dorothy are at Dorothy's parents' home for a cookout. Yesterday, the cookout was at my parents' home.

So while you all are at the lake, having a cookout, or just chillaxing at home, it's bedtime here. Back to the grind tomorrow. Here's to the end of May and the beginning of June in another day or so. One month closer to home. One thing I can say after my trip to three different "theme parks"...I'm perfectly fine never leaving WDW again until it's time to hop back on the Yellow Brick Road. It may get a bit monotonous here but I do feel safer here. I'm not sure if I'll be able to avoid future travel but I certainly won't be seeking it out.

Goodnight, everyone.