One picnic I am all for!

Today was OUR picnic/BBQ, and of all the complaints we have had for putting on these events for everyone leaving, I enjoyed THIS one the most! We played a little football, and ate some fried chicken and ribs, and fun and frolicked with the best of em! Yes, I bootlicked!
I have A LOT of pics from this one, but I am showing the ceremony ones with us(me) getting our awards. I recieved the Joint Service Commendation Medal, which is cool, and I will probably NEVER be in a place to be eligible for this award again. What makes this special is the Joint part of it. It means working alongside ALL services, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to accomplish the mission. In my normal NG position in MN I work only with Army, so it was special because I met and worked with some GREAT service members from other branches!
I am happy that LTC Spear, our boss for the PDHA team recieved the Bronze Star, because he has been a great leader to us!
So now that I am milking this 30 days out on my blog, be looking for that rearview mirror picture any day! I have my room pretty much cleaned and my duffle bags packed and my desk pretty much cleaned out, but I can tell you this was my last Sunday in Iraq(Cross my fingers)!
I was able to thank some much deserved people tonight, and MAJ Joseph, who I talked about in my posts was given the Bronze Star as well, and as I was thanking people, I brought up the story about Cottam calling someone that used to be here during her going away ceremony, and he called that person "Chocolate Love" and as we were walking back from that ceremony I asked MAJ Joseph if I could get away with calling her that when I went home! Well, she laughed and I got to call her it tonight! You would have to know MAJ Joseph and the fact that she is VERY religious, and just a great, polite person. She is VERY proper, and gets embarressed when I do those things, so I had to! It was funny!
I feel we accomplished something here, and am proud to have been a part of the Iraq mission, and even if I directly did not impact the Iraqi people, I don't serve in that capacity, I am a support person and help those who impact the Iraqis directly!
Have a GREAT Sunday!
Later,
Erik