The FReeper Foxhole - SAM and Snippy Tour the USS Tarawa LHA-1 & meet bkwells - Sept. 5th, 2003

[SAMWolf]

[SAMWolf]

Hi HiJinx. you don't know how worried Snippy and I were that something would go wrong at the last minute, heightened security, being redeployed, etc.

All kinds of things ran through our minds until we actually walked down the pier and boarded the TARAWA.

[manna]

Thanks for the pictures. What a fine-looking group of people you and snippy got to hang out with! I'm glad you got to make the trip.

[weldgophardline]

I have a big grin on my face knowing how much fun you both had on this tour. I was doing fine until I saw the program that they had for Snippy and then a tear came to my eye. It is so great how they honored her when we all are in deep honor of their service and scarifice they give to this great country. I again want to thank you both for what you do.

[SAMWolf]

You weren't the only one. The good byes we said after dinner told me how much Snippy meant to the OA Division crew.

[SAMWolf]

Is it catching?? :-)

Only if Snippy and I are doing a good job of telling you all how much of a honor this was for us.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks weldgophardline. That's waht makes these people so special, they look at themselves as not doing anything special and thank us for supporting them. What a great group of Americans.

[HiJinx]

Ok, that was over and above. SAM, I don't know if you ever had the occasion to attend a hail & farewell for fellow soldiers...that's kinda like what the OA Division did for the two of you.

To do this for someone who hasn't served with you, sweat with you, perhaps bled with you, is a compliment higher than nearly anything they could have done.

Ms. Snippy, if you didn't know it before now, you now know how much that crew loves you and all you did for them. That's something I've known for quite some...you are one very special lady!

HJ

[colorado tanker]

The post of the assault carriers in formation in the Gulf was just awesome, Sam.

You two must be having a blast.

[RaceBannon]

I was in the troop compartment, we had smaller racks and slept 4 high, not Navy racks, they slept 3 high!

[SAMWolf]

SAM, I don't know if you ever had the occasion to attend a hail & farewell for fellow soldiers..

Yep, I've been on both ends of a Hail and Farewell, You're right it is very special and always emotional, even the "toughest of the tough" end up with something in their eye. They've always been heartfelt. The fact that the entire Division, except for one who was out of town came, shows how much Snippy means to them. One has even separated and is now a civilian.

She is one special Lady. I't been a pleasure to work with her and meet her in person

[SAMWolf]

It was a great time, it was worth every second of lost sleep(Which I will probably pay for next week, lol)

[SAMWolf]

Boy, The Navy sure gets all the luxuries don't they? ;-)

If Marines are transported anything like soldiers I know what you're talking about, only we didin't have to do it on ships.

[snippy_about_it]

No fair. Those are horrible pictures of me, I had been crying. Dang it SAM, I try to get some shut eye not ten feet away from you and look what you do.

In all seriousness, it was an honor and I was truly surprised. I had sent the flag for them, to hang over the side of the ship at their homecoming. I never expected or imagined it would come back to me and especially not in such an emotional way.

These bunch of sailors who do so much for us acted like I did something special for them. All I did was do my very best to show them how much I cared and how much I appreciated their service and how much I loved them for it.

It wasn't difficult at all. I had the easy part. I'll never forget the experience or them.

Thank you SAM for your support in all this and for going the extra mile to make sure we could experience this together as I always thought it should be.

[bkwells]

Hi all!

I'd like to say that it was really great to meet snippy and sam in person. I really didn't mean to make snippy cry when we presented her with the Flag (did she mention that it was flown on the ship the moment we crossed the Equator and the International Date Line?),

Well, it's after 8 here and I've finally logged on to see this thread.

It was an honor to meet such fine Americans who fully support the military!

Brian

[snippy_about_it]

OK. Now I am bawling big time.

I knew that just finally meeting them in person and seeing the Tarawa was going to be emotional. I really wanted to keep my composure and was having pep talks to myself and even garnered a few from SAM.

Tuesday night with Rebecca and her husband I did fine, even after receiving the flowers. I thought I was home free on the crying stuff.

The next morning as we were headed down the elevator to meet James out front my cell phone rang and it was James saying he was here to escort us to the ship. I told him we were on our way and would be right there. I couldn't even repeat the phone call to SAM without crying. We paused for a few seconds, SAM trying his best to calm me with a pep talk and we headed for the the hotel entrance where James was. I did pretty good holding back the tears and continued to do so throughout the tour of the ship.

Dinner was a whole different story. I was especially anxious to meet who the crew and I affectionately call "Senior" when we talk about him, our own bkwells. As I mentioned earlier Brian Wells had happily gone on to NAS North Island and has classes now so therefore he wasn't available for the tour of the ship. Dinner would be the first time I would meet him.

I should have known something was up when one of the sailors (also named Brian) met SAM and I as we arrived at the restaurant and escorted us to the table some of them were already seated at. Brian M. pulled out the chair for me at the head of the table and said they were saving that seat for me, SAM was seated to my right.

When Brian Wells arrived with that big sweet grin (I've had to opportunity to see pictures of him and the crew prior to our meeting) I thought I would burst. I got the best, strongest and longest bear hug I think I've ever had and still I tried not to cry.

However when I was presented with the flag and Brian tried his best at sharing his thoughts, he finally said he was speechless and I just couldn't hold back. Of course, these guys are the greatest and I received a round of applause and shouts from them congratulating themselves because they achieved their mission of making me cry. LOL. These sailors are very sweet and knew how to make me more comfortable and none of it escaped me. They're wonderful.

The entire experience was overwhelming an after hugs and some wonderful personal well wishes, SAM and I got in the car and drove away. Yep, then I really fell apart. Talk about mixed emotions, happy to have met them and sad to be leaving. I think SAM deserves an award for standing by me and supporting me through this emotional roller coaster ride.

JINXY, I do realize how they feel as difficult as it was to understand when they were the ones doing all the sacrificing. They always were kind and expressed their appreciation in emails and were exactly the same in person only with a more personal touch. Thank you for your kind words.

Thanks to everyone for your support of SAM and I and your kind words today also. I'd really love to post individually to you all but I am really wearing down fast and need to get some sleep soon.

For you ladies out there let me just say this once. Sailors are the best huggers until somebody proves me wrong!!!LOL!!!

[snippy_about_it]

Hey you! Thanks for stopping in, I know you are very busy so this means so much more. You know I love you guys! We had a wonderful time and you all spoiled me rotten!

Thank you for your kind words for SAM and I. But really, it's all about you and your crew and how proud and thankful we are to know you.

I'll be in touch. :)

[Soaring Feather]

Hi Brian!

I'm so glad you met snippy and Sam.

I remember your great jokes.

Be well and it's nice to say hi to you.

Thank you for your service to our great nation.

[Soaring Feather]

Snippy,

Wonderful letter to all. So glad you and Sam could do this. What a wonderful trip to remember. :-)

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks feather. I'm sure I'll never forget it!