Warning.... This blog is long... NO SERIOUSLY, it is!I posted a few weeks ago about our invitation to my boss' Change of Command ceremony in New Orleans and about our eventual acceptance of the invitation and search for the perfect hotel…. On that end of the trip I was excited about going to New Orleans for all the reasons that I have always been excited to go to NOLA. I love the city… it’s colors, it’s smells, it’s tastes (especially it’s tastes) and it’s quirkiness and it’s spirit. I don’t care for city living – but I’ve now visited NOLA for several different reasons and each time with different people and I still love it the same. So I was excited for any excuse to head down NOLA way. I wasn’t particularly excited about the change of command ceremony. Darrell hadn’t made that big a deal about it and so while I was glad to be going… It wasn’t the center attraction for me.
We had a great drive down on Friday. It seemed to go quickly and of course Aunt Kathy had packed tons of goodies to keep us satisfied and happy. We got to the city about 7:30 and after 30 minutes or so of driving around lost (well not sooo lost as not being able to find the exact right road) in the pouring rain, we finally arrived at our room. From the outside it was not anything special. I got us checked in and then we decided to grab something to eat. My thinking was we’d head to Cooter Browns and have dinner and a ball. We jump in a cab cause I’m thinking it’s a 3 minute drive and $21.00 and two life times later we were ½ way across the city standing in a really scary dive! The bar that I remembered (from both previous trips) had been replaced by a dive that had a few drunk college kids and no fun, and no wonderful menu. One minute later we were exiting… I was a little concerned until I noted O’Henry’s within walking distance. Once there we had a good meal (well chanda and I did, AK is not all about the Cajun food) and got the skinny on riding the trolley car back towards our hotel. That ride turned out to be both strange and cool. We got to take in the sites and we were highly entertained by the college kids all singing bohemian rhapsody in 4 part harmony…. You really had to be there!
So after more walking than AK was hoping for we arrived back at our room which luckily was very nice. We got up the next AM and although it was raining we found a great little coffee shop and then headed to the quarter for some shopping. We spent most of the day in the quarter perusing the silly shops and buying souvenirs and hanging out at Margaretville. We went back to the room and got ready for the Marine Dinner.
We had coordinated w/ Sir earlier in the day and he had his military driver bring he and Donna by so that we could follow them to the base. We arrived at the gate of the base and waited for our turn. A very serious looking female soldier bent over and approached their vehicle, within seconds she popped back up and snapped to attention complete with salute. We saw her hold up 2 fingers and nod. It was impressive. We pulled up next and she waived us on telling us to have a good time.
The dinner on base was mostly non-eventful. It was held in a tiny little “officers club” (I’m thinking it was anyway) where they served shrimp boil and Abita beer. (yummie on both counts) It was a little room over filled with mens. Lots and lots of mens, to the point of being a little intimidating. The highlight of the dinner was getting to meet Franz. I have worked for Darrell for 15+ years. For most of those years there has been a soldier that has called regularly and who always has a story and a line. Most of the soldiers who call (especially as the rank has increased) ask for General Moore and while they will identify themselves as “military title – last name” I rarely get more information out of them. With Franz however… there is always more information, jokes and good wishes. Franz gave Chanda and I our first sushi lesson and I have heard countless stories about him and his antics. Franz is now the commanding General in Kansas City and he came to see Darrell’s change of command. Franz is just as hilarious and personable in person as he has been on the phone all these years.
That nite after the event we headed back to the room, which coincidently was three blocks off bourbon street, so we were obligated you see to go and spend some time on bourbon street. The excitement was pretty muted but I enjoyed seeing the strange people and the strange shops and the vibe. We walked up and down and got a bite to eat and I had another Abita (yummie) and then we headed back to the room.
The next morning we were up early. A trip to the coffee shop for some yummo expresso (right on Rampart Street just down from the Hotel) we began packing up our room and getting all gussied up for the big event. Right on time we headed over the river and arrived at the base. Our trip through the base gate was slightly more bumpy than the night before. This time we were expected to produce license and registration and a good reason for being there… We got through though and headed to the gym. Just inside the door we were met by the two Generals. Darrell and his soon to be replacement Tracey Garrett. We were greeted and sent towards our seats. We had a marine escort to the 2nd row – right behind the 4 Generals present. Our names were placed on our seats complete with the Marine Corp seal. We took our place and began to wait. After about 15 minutes the band started to play. I thought it all sounded fine, but Chanda (high school band) informed me it was not fine… it was really good and they were playing notoriously hard pieces.
The ceremony finally began with the recognition of all the (forgive my less than correct military lingo) different components of the 4th MLG. Then the Marine with the exceptional radio voice read a message from the Commandant of the Marine Corp thanking Darrell for his service and bringing into focus just some of what he had been responsible for over the last two years. I have to admit I had no idea… I mean I had some idea but you just don’t think about everything that comes w/ being the guy in charge. Men fighting and living or dying…winning or loosing on your watch. Those same men having the materials and the support that they require in all the dozens of different places that they happen to be. I have to say as I sat there listening to the list of things the Commandant was thanking Sir for I was mostly thinking… wow. Next the 3 star General Bergman said a few words, more of the same… wow.
Finally it was time for my long winded boss. I give him a little hell about being the longest speaker, but the truth was that it was really what we had driven all that way for. Sir seemed pretty emotional during his speech. He made us (Me, Chanda and Aunt Kathy) as well as the other couple from Pryor feel very special even though we were there to see his special moment and not vice versa. He talked about how Chanda and I empower him to do the job he does in the Marine Corp and how much that meant to him. I’ve been present at both of his most recent pinning ceremonies and so I’ve heard that line before, and I’ve always thought that I understood it… But honestly, until I heard it following all those comments about the life and death decisions that were being made – well Frankly I just don’t think I got it. I have to say that it made me want to do my job, the small supporting role that it is, better. It became a little clearer to me how all the pieces fit into the giant puzzle. Even my little piece and how if one of the pieces is missing – the whole puzzle doesn’t work.
Most of the time though he spent talking about what being a Marine meant to him. Important and moving words to hear. The ceremony lasted only a short time, and the purpose of the whole affair was to end his command at that post, but I have to say that it was a very enlightening time and way more important than any of my other reasons for wanting to see the City. I felt honored just to have been present, which was not what I was expecting. Afterwards Sir thanked us again for coming and told us how much it meant to him and although I did attempt I’m not sure I was able to articulate to him what the experience meant to me.
I regret only that we didn't take any pictures during... and more importantly didn't get any of us and the General after... Oh well, there is always the ball!
your sleep... or to rub that soft little special spot on your nose... 
your sleep... or to rub that soft little special spot on your nose... 
