New Years Day or National Free Day

Well, as advertised, I arrived back home(as in New Jersey) in the wee hours of the morn. New Years was observed on the plane while waiting to taxi out to the runway at the international airport in Banger, Maine where we had a lay-over. Even on New Years Eve, there were community members there to offer us cell-phone use and cookies. I called home, but the voice on the answering machine didn't sound familiar, so I was afraid the phone had messed up or I got a wrong number, so, I called Matt, who was home. After we got in to New Jersey, there was a general there from the IL Guard to greet us, along with other members of the ILNG, and we offed the busses to bagpipe music provided by a member of the Vietnam Vets of America Local Chapter which I have forgotten the number of, but they were there to greet us as well. We went inside, were treated to some food from the USO, some very short briefings, and then sent back to the billets, where a first priority of course was internet/e-mail (the net here is very fast... so glorious!). I was however too tired to post this morning. After quickly reading e-mail, showering, and sleeping I got up this morning and went with some guys to the PX to purchase some needed items. Hello post holiday sales! I got one shirt for the low, low price of they payed me 50 cents to take it off their hands. It rang up for 9.50, and had a 10 dollar manufacturer rebate awarded at the counter! Then we went over to the pizza joint in the PX complex, where some guys didn't want all the pizza they had purchased, so I got free pizza as well. So, in honor of free internet, clothes, and pizza, I think today shall be National Free Day, or at least Free Stuff for Teddy day. It is also a day off, so the day itself is "free" as well. I am also supposed to have tomorrow off, and being as Mike is somewhat in the area, I will hopefully hang out with him tonight or tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to stay within 25 miles of the post (to prevent, ummm, incidents in New York, Phillie, etc that have happened in the past with demobilizing units) so Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash will be outside of my travel limit (it's only about 50 miles from here).

In less happier news, I found out while checking my e-mail that a close family friend whom I greaty admired passed away near the end of December. My life was greater for having known him, and I know he will be greatly missed by many. MY thoughts are with his family during this holiday season without him.