Well gang,
How do you ensure that you get to spend the night in Ireland by making the plane break down??? That’s easy, just sit there and say over and over “I hope that everything goes smooth and we get home fast!!!” Do this and presto, you’re guaranteed to break down. They put us in a super nice hotel about 20 minutes from the airport that included it’s own pub. Since all we had on were our desert cammies, we were NOT allowed outside of the hotel for any reason. Also, the State Department had reported a growing number of political anti-war protesters in Ireland harassing troops, so they warned us not to speak to any of these folks if they approached us in the hotel. I am here to tell you that we never ran into such persons while there. The pub was full of the most kind and gracious folks in the world. They even let me get up and sing Elvis with the band around 11 pm.
The grumpy MEF Grunt SgtMaj didn’t like the idea that we were able to drink, at all. So he posted himself at the entrance and gave each young enlisted Marine the “Evil Eye” if it appeared they were having toO much fun. After four pints of Black and Tans, I can say that I was pretty well toasted, AND that, added to not having slept much, ensured that I was in a dead sleep by midnight. I love the fact that the local families bring their kids with them for dinner and entertainment in Ireland. They sure got their money’s worth that night from all the Jarheads letting loose.
The following day, it was particularly quiet with all the guys a bit subdued from our activities the night before. Towards the end of the flight, you could feel the energy building with the thoughts of reunions with family members. Once you land, like anything in the Military, it’s hurry up and wait. You get off the plane and after about an hour and a half of turning in weapons, picking up bags, you finally file onto a bus for movement to a large warehouse. Our C.O. at Cherry Point had a Fantastic reunion set up with the Band/pizza and loved ones all in the warmth of our supply building. It was everything that I imagined it would be and more.
Here are the immediate observations that struck me when I got off the airplane and through the night. Everything is so green. Marines wearing the green cammies again, the trees, the grass. Then only having to walk five feet to use the bathroom that has real soft toilet paper and endless hot water. A bed with a firm mattress, a bottle of wine in the room, my wife next to me, no helicopters rattling the room, no sounds of distant explosions, no phone calls in the middle of the night. Now I face a bit of “withdrawal” from being there. A sense of purpose in daily life, knowing that you helped save lives. It’s different now–I can’t get my 3-year-old to do what I want, at all!! Ha!!
I will have to change my blog to reflect that I’m home now, but part of me is still over there. I think they should bring back the draft, or a choice of four things for every 18-year-old in our nation. Either go into the military and see the world; go into the peace Corps and help out folks in our own back yard vice Africa; go into the border patrol and keep all the deadbeats out; or join some sort of CCC like they had in the thirties and forties. This will give our nation’s youth and future leaders a greater understanding of just how great America truly is!! We take for granted all the wonderful opportunities available here and it makes me sick sometimes. When I run for Congress… Anyway, it’s great to be back home and I wanted to thank everyone for their awesome support of my Marines while I was over there. Please keep them in your prayers and if you want to know what the best way to support them, just continue to talk positively about the mission, why we are there and the young men and women who are in harms way. That’s better then any cake or box of cookies you could send them.
Semper Fi,
Taco
The SandGram 
March 17, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Hola, Taco Bell —
It’s good to know you’re back home safe and sound. Well, safe anyway. He He He.
Have a good one, and take it easy.
Off to make green cookies.
— Natalie, the crazy girl from Brookfield
PS: Your wife is a hottie. Your parents look so sweet, too.
March 17, 2006 at 1:49 pm
It is so good to know that you are back home with your family. I appreciate so much what you have done in service and how you have so willingly shared of yourself while doing it.
Kathy in NC
March 17, 2006 at 2:37 pm
When you run for Congress?
I like that thought!
May I suggest the Florida House of Representatives? http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
Are you taking names to volunteer with the campaign?
I’ll sign up as a volunteer only if you take Leghound as an aid. 🙂
Enjoy processing the good of coming home Major. I know your brothers will be there to process the not so good with you.
Bright Blessings
March 17, 2006 at 4:32 pm
I’m with kolson_justme all the way but make that Wisconsin. Thanks again and God bless our troops.
March 17, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Taco…
thank you for your service and for sharing your time Over There and Your Marines with us all these months – for teaching us about all that your life in the sandbox entails and for the things you sacrifice to protect us…
we love you all – and are so grateful!
welcome home!!!
connie
March 18, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Thanks for another terific post and Welcome Home. I love the vision of homelife “I can’t get my three year old to do what I say”. Real men know when they’ve been bested;) Still hoping to see you in DC….happy training!
March 18, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Taco,
Glad you are back safe and sound.
It was great meeting you last night.
Mrs. T
March 18, 2006 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for your service. Doubt that running on a “required national service ticket” for all 18 year olds will get you elected anytime soon, even in the most conservative congressional disticts. Maybe we are still better off with awesome volunteers who serve with pride and do a great job?
March 19, 2006 at 4:31 am
A timely post! It’s good to know on St. Patty’s Day that not all the Irish hate us.
I like the idea of you in Congress. Run, Taco, run!!!
March 19, 2006 at 6:32 am
Hey Taco,
When you run for office make it a national one so we can vote for you!
I agree with you, there should be some kind of national service to make people realize what we have here and what it takes to maintain it. Start with all of those yahoos out in the streets protesting today.
March 19, 2006 at 3:07 pm
Taco,
AMEN!!!!
Where can I send a campaign contribution:-)
March 19, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Taco – consider another way all of us can help. Especially YOU since you are writing and speaking to so many people on the homefront. Spread the word – AnySoldier.com needs monetary donations NOW – see new message at their website. We cannot continue to help our deployed without an organization like AnySoldier.
Every chance you get, please ask those you meet to send $1 or $5 to AnySoldier. If everyone who uses the website, and every redeployed troop who received something through the website, makes a donation, we can help sustain this valuable organization.
Thanks!! A longtime AnySoldier Junky
March 19, 2006 at 3:38 pm
PS Many businesses offer a “matching donation” benefit to employees who make a contribution to an 503(c) org like AnySoldier. For those who work for a company who offers this, donations can be doubled by filling out some paperwork from the company’s HR department. LET’S KEEP ANYSOLDIER ALIVE AND THRIVING!!!
March 19, 2006 at 10:05 pm
Now then Taco,
Let me know when you run for Congress. I do have some experience in the political campaign process and have worked for a few of our Texas politicians.
Sam
.
.
March 20, 2006 at 5:12 pm
Major, I am very pleased for you (and crew), grateful of your service, entertained by your stories, and appreciative of your good news. And, it be a fine thing to know the Irish treated you right. “May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.” Blessings on you home.
March 20, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Welcome Home Major. Great Pics of the family. I agree, bring back the draft. I have some ACIDS w/ your name on ’em.
March 20, 2006 at 8:10 pm
Welcome home, sir.
Found out this morning that one of the guys my son went to MOS school with will be stationed at Cherry Point. You have a good crew and more young Marines coming on board all the time.
Thank you for all you’ve done and will do. I know that with officers of your caliber, the Corps is in good hands.
Karla (mother of a Marine) “The safest place in the world is behind a United States Marine”
March 22, 2006 at 12:50 am
I was so glad to see that someone posted here about the need for donations over at AnySoldier.com. It is an incredible organization and they need all the donations we can come up with! I donated and also bought some of their gear.
They are also asking for folks to donate money for the tickets for Capt. Bourland’s unit to go on the Hudson River cruise fundraiser.
You supporters of AnyMarine really made a difference to my son Taco and to his men. Thank you!!!
Navy Wife
March 22, 2006 at 4:09 am
Major Taco you have my vote !!
March 23, 2006 at 5:40 am
Major,
Did my part at anysoldier.com
Doing my part talking up the mission & the men
Will do my part daily in prayer
So, “Congressman Bell” — Tell Leghound to work on your campaign staff. He can recruit Maxie & Sepeda to help. We’ll all vote for you …. well, at least in the primary! 😉
Great to hear from you again. God bless you and yours — A Friend in FL
March 23, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Thanks to Taco and Taco’s mom for responding to my posting about donating to AnySoldier. I buy the AnyS and AnyMarine bumper stickers and the little laminated cards that have the AnyS info on them. I take them with me to parades and Memorial Day and July 4th ceremonies and hand them out to attendees. An inexpensive way to get the word out.
March 24, 2006 at 2:27 am
You can also just drop by the site and donate a few bucks. There is also a great area to check out for on line buying at business that will donate a percentage to the anysoldier site. I always check there first when I need to make a purchase or send a gift. The cigar shop is a great way to treat the warriors….check it out everybody!! The site needs our help to stay up and running and our warriors need all the support we can give ’em. I’ve made some great pen pals and found TACO and Capt B through that site,,,before they blogged….
March 24, 2006 at 5:24 pm
I hope you do run for Congress, Taco Bell! Thanks so much for your service, and for coming out to stand with us at Walter Reed last week. You and all our troops are awesome, and we are forever in your debt.