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The OA Division - USS Tawara
Honors Snippy

The OA Division Crew turned the dinner in their honor into a dinner honoring Snippy's support of the crew during their deployment.

We all met at a restuarant called Claim Jumpers in Grossmont at 1530 hours on Wednesday afternoon. Amazing to both Senior Chief bkwells and myself, we had a table of 9 Sailors and not one beer was ordered!!

We started off with the biggest plate of appetizers I've seen in a long time and after getting to know each other a little better we ordered dinner. James, our chauffeur, out ate everyone and the table and took plenty of ribbing. Of course, I've never met a Texan without a hollow leg when it comes to excellent food.

When dessert time came around James was the only one who even thought about being interested. More ribbing from everyone else and we decided to pass on dessert. But before we left the restuarant, James was presented with a "slice" of Death by Chocolate cake that was at least 7 layers tall and 6 inches wide. A small token or our appreciation for his chauffering duties. He said it wouldn't make it back to the Boat, because he had a fork (not borrowed from the Mess) in his vehicle.

After the dinner Senior Chief bkwells presented a folded flag in a display case to Snippy. This was a flag Snippy had sent to the crew, they had hoisted and flown the flag from the bridge of the USS Tarawa when they crossed the Equator and the International Dateline.

After a moving speech, (for a Navy Senior Chief), bkwells presented the flag to Snippy among a round of applause from the rest of the Division.

It was the last thing both of us expected and quite a moving moment for all of us.

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

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.

The OA Division - USS Tawara Honors Snippy

*sniff* I'm tearing up at this one. It must have been overwhelming emotionally to have this flag presented. What a sweet thing these fine folks did! Thanks for sharing this special moment with us.

I love this group shot.

What a great looking group of folks!

Any guy who likes "Death By Chok-lit" cake is A-OK by me!
*giggle*.....James and I would either get along fabulously or fight like cats and dogs......over the cake, that is. LOL!