USO

Before meeting McKay I didn't know anything about the military.  In fact I didn't even know that a Air Force Academy existed.  And I'm still, and I think will always be trying to figure out the military's acronyms.  Why can't people that are "PSCing" just say that they are moving?  Is there really a difference?  The answer: No!

It was a magical day for Marielle when McKay's mom first took her into the BX (more commonly know as a grocery store) at England's Lakenheath Air Force Base.  This was also when Marielle was reunited with peanut butter after being deprived of it during her year in Paris.

The next magical world of the military to open up to Marielle was the USO.  McKay first took me to one while we were dating and my mind couldn't process what was going on.  

My mind: Wait a minute, there is this awesome place inside airports where military members get free food, beds to sleep on, big screen TVs, free internet, warm blankets and ridiculously adorable man playing banjos at the entrance to greet you....(mind just blew up!)  

1) How did I not know this world even existed?  

2) Why didn't I join the military earlier? 

I mean come on!  Look at this guy!  He's the cutest thing I've ever seen!  I just want to take him home with me!

While traveling back from Texas, where Clarissa played on From the Top, we had a long layover in Fort Worth, Texas, so hung out at the USO and learned to play the banjo.  This older gentleman had the most amazing story about his father, who served in the Navy.  As a young kid, his father served on a naval ship during WWII.  After the ship got hit, his father helped 9 men get off the ship safely, costing him his life.  This older Gentleman never became bitter, only grateful that he had a father great enough to deserve the title of a hero.  He, himself, never served in the military, but he comes to the Fort Worth USO everyday to play his banjo at the entrance to greet people as they enter in honor of his daddy.  What a tender-hearted man and God bless him for his, and his family's sacrifice.