Ft Polk, LA.

I wish it could have been Fort Drum.



Is it okay if I ask to virtually hold your hand for a second?

Fort Puke, Louse-iana . . . my brother was there in 1968--he was at the Infantry Training Center. They had a battalion assembly one day, and officers from special services were asking if any of the trainees present had special skills. They mentioned musical instruments, so my brother stood up. The DI told him to sit down, but my brother ignored him. They asked him what musical instruments he could play. He said french horn, trumpet, cornet and piano. They told him there would be auditions, and if he was telling stories, he'd be in trouble. He basically said bring it on (in language suitable for a trainee speaking to an officer).

He spent his war as first french horn in the First Division band.

Snood--

Hold your dominion.

Well, I might've caught a break, here. It looks like they're going to put me at the Meddac (medical activity - small hospital) there at Ft Polk.
If I'm needed at the Meddac, they don't need me to go to the Middle East.

Big Whew - this is a war my heart definitely ain't in...

Oh good...

The way things are going, it's medical people they seem to need over there. Hoping it is over before long and you get to stay in the U.S.

Do you mind if I virtually hold the other hand?

Yikes.

Aren't you almost a short timer, Snood? Anyway, good, about the Meddac.

Snood--

You certainly have the motivation to make yourself indispensible.

I'm about 3 years and 9 months short of no-longer-government-issue 'ville.

Ah.

A lot of history can reach out and grab you in the next 3 years and 9 months.

meaning?

(my 'ah' was a worry-filled sound)

I'm a little confused about the "history coming to grab me" thing...

Snood--

Borrowing an bit of Idea Play from Terry Pratchett. Geography is simple. Names change, but once a mountain range is established it tends to stay in the same place.

History, on the other hand, is the academic way of saying, "Interesting Times". Remember the old Chinese curse: "May you be doomed to live in Interesting Times"?

Being in the military for the next three years and nine months may put you in the way of some very Interesting Times. May you be off the route of the March of Historical Events.

Oh, I gotcha.

So...how far you gotta move? What does this do to your life? What about cats?


(Hoping there are no too interesting times in your future.)

It's only about a 6 1/2 hour drive from where I'm at. I can take my cats with me, and me and Cheryl will have to have a commuting relationship until she finishes her degree. Then We've talked seriously about moving in together. I'd like to retire in NC or right here in San Antonio. The cats travel with me. If I'd had to deploy, Cheryl already told me she'd even move to another apartment if necessary to keep all 4 (my 2 and her 2) cats. Hopefully I can serve out my time (sounds like prison, huh?) quietly, and this will be my last PCS (permanent change of station).