Send me
June 18, 2009
Despite all of its tourism, Virginia Beach has always been a military town. The naval base was just down the road and to the right of our hotel, and the Oceanic Naval Air Station was just a few miles beyond that.
All of which made every day resemble a Fourth of July parade.
There were plenty of these on the way into town:
And once at the hotel, we saw many more of these:
And I wasn’t alone outside yesterday morning to watch the rain. I had company in the form of Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children, otherwise known as the United States Marines:
Add to all of that the parade of destroyers and frigates passing over the horizon and the steady stream of F/A-18 Hornets flying over my head, and I had a three-day testosterone high. It all became quite the Pavlovian experience. Every engine, every thump of a rotor, and every bellow of a drill sergeant would illicit from me an immediate stare and an even more immediate, “Awesome.”
I guess it was all that testosterone that nearly got me into a lot of trouble Tuesday morning.
My wife and I decided to have an early breakfast at a nice little restaurant down from our hotel. One that didn’t promise the kind of food you could neither pronounce nor eat without proper instruction.
We decided to make our return trip via the sidewalk rather than the boardwalk, thereby avoiding the daily throng of joggers, walkers, and rollerbladers. After all, a good breakfast should always be followed by some good peace and quiet. And that’s exactly what we had for a while. Until I looked up and saw the four men jogging toward us.
“What are these guys doing?” I asked. “Don’t they know to run on the boardwalk with everyone else?”
“Don’t worry about it,” my wife told me.
But I did.
Maybe it was the fact that they weren’t following the rules. Maybe it was the identical blue T shirts with fancy emblems all four of them were wearing. I didn’t know. I did know, however, that there was no way four little jogging club nerds were going to make me move. Oh, no. They were going to get out of my way.
My wife began to veer off to the side, giving them ample room to maneuver past us. I stayed put. Our locked hands went from slack to taut, nearly pulling her off her feet.
“Let them move,” I said. “The sidewalk’s ours.”
She rolled her eyes. It was not the first time she had done so, and very likely not the last. Nonetheless, she surrendered to my macho idiocy.
The four runners crossed the road and onto our block. The two in the lead saw us in the way. Their brows wrinkled.
Uh-huh, I said to myself, I know you see me. I ain’t movin’, either.
The six of us met in front of the Atlantic Sands Oceanfront Hotel.
“Excuse us, sir,” one of the lead men said.
I didn’t move.
“You guys are supposed to be on the boardwalk with the rest of the beautiful people,” I said. “Sidewalk’s ours.”
My wife poked me in the ribs with an elbow. I ignored her.
“Our apologies, sir,” the other lead man said.
Our apologies? I thought. Oh yeah, these guys are SO intimidated by me.
Another poke by my wife. Harder.
“Sheesh,” I said, “I know city folk don’t care about manners and all, but you guys take the cake. You think you–
(poke poke POKE)
–can waltz around anywhere you want!”
(POKE POKE POKE POKE)
“What?” I whispered to my wife. “I have some manly mojo going on here.”
She ignored me. Her eyes were instead fixed on the T shirts of the men in front of us. The blue ones. With the fancy emblems.
I then realized two things. One was that there was another, very unique military base not too far from where we were standing called Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek. The other was that the fancy emblems on the shirts of those four men said “U.S. Naval Special Warfare.”
I was picking a fight with four Navy SEALs.
My manly mojo drained along with the color from my face.
“Beg your pardon, sir,” the first man said again. “We just like to run out here because there aren’t many folks out this time of morning. We like to keep a quick pace, and that isn’t always easy with all the people on the boardwalk.”
I tried speaking, but all that came out was “Whhh…” I cleared my very dry throat and tried again. “Oh…well, um…good. That’s just…real good.”
“We appreciate that, sir,” he said, then shook my hand. When he did, I noticed the tattoo on his forearm. Written in old script beneath a sword was written, “Isaiah 6:8.”
“Hooyah,” I said.
“Hooyah,” he smile and answered. And off they went.
I didn’t say much on the way back to the hotel, and my wife was kind enough not to say much, either.
I wasn’t thinking about the nasty taste left over from having my foot in my mouth. I was thinking about the scripture tattooed on that Frogman’s arm. Isaiah 6:8. There are other verses in the Bible that carry more meaning for me, but that verse has always been my favorite.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
For four days I relaxed in the sun and the sand, staying up late and sleeping in with little worries and few cares. Yet around me all week were people who dedicated themselves to nothing more than ensuring I could do just that. Rest. Without worry or care. Because they manned the walls and filled the breaches. Men and women who flew the Blackhawks and the fighters, who rose before the sun to run the beaches, who stood watch on the ships so we could sleep in peace.
They endure and train and fight. They are separated from families and loved ones. They live under the constant threat of mortal danger.
Not because they must. Because they choose.
Because each of them said, “Don’t send him. Don’t send her. Send me.”
Comments
36 Responses to “Send me”
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
I’m a writer whose first novel, Snow Day, will be published by FaithWords in 2010.
But don’t let that fool you. I’m just as confused as anyone.
And that is fine with me, because the great thing about wandering around in the fog is that you never know what you might run into.
Don't miss anything: Subscribe now-
You can catch up with me here:
-
Aw shucks, Billy. Just when my misty-eyed patriotism was wearing off after Memorial Day, too.
I watch the shenanigans in Congress with our money these days and it disheartens me. I guess there are still reasons to be proud of where some of those federal dollars go.
Such a great post! I moved from a place much like Virginia Beach (in many ways) earlier this year where most in those neck of the woods are accustomed to the presence of three Marine bases and a Coast Guard station all within close distance. I worked for the Marine Corps and hope to again. I have loved serving those who serve.
Recently, I put my foot in my mouth in the presence of a young Marine while waiting for a pass to board a base here in California. It wasn't until I walked away that I realized how I probably came across. When I thought about the sacrifices that are made by that young Marine, I wished with everything that I could roll back to the moment just before I opened my big, fat mouth and take it back. But I think that's one of the most awe inspiring things to me about our men and women in uniform…that they serve anyway.
Regardless of whether or not they're thanked. Regardless of whether or not people get it. Regardless of whether or not people notice. Regardless of whether or not I was an idiot that day or not. They serve and sacrifice. And sometimes, they lay down their life because they chose to be sent. That is what makes me absolutely love doing what I can to take care of them and their families.
There's something just totally beautiful about those who ask to be sent so that the rest of us are safe.
Billy,
Funny how puffing out our chest and popping our shirt buttons often leaves us bare chested with humility, isn't it?
Larry E.
Really? You picked a fight with SEALs over sidewalk turf? You did it just for the story, right?
Great story.
Hooyah!
Wow
This story blessed me, today. I have so much respect to those who defend our freedom.
Freedom to even declare that this is "our sidewalk". :0)
Well, if you're looking for things to be thankful for today, be glad I'm not your wife. LOL! I would have done more than poking and I wouldn't have let it rest later.
My husband is a former Army Ranger & Vietnam vet. I never knew him back then (mainly because I wasn't born), but I had a wake-up call like you did when I attended his college reunion (USMA). They played a slide show of all the classmates killed in duty. All these strong, stoic men were crying. Crying. For their brothers lost. I never took my freedom for granted again.
Well, he certainly handled the situation very well.
We all stick a foot in our mouths sometimes, Billy. Unfortunately, I have big feet for a woman, and have a hard time getting mine out after I got it in so easily…
LOL … now you know you wouldn't have strutted your feathers around those big dudes. Ha.
I didn't know you went to the beach in Va. I have never been on a Va. beach — just NC and SC.
I'm glad you had fun and survived.
)
Be sure to add this one to the "best of" file.
Billy,
I'd never thought of that scripture in that context before – you definitely have a way of opening my eyes to a different perspective. Thanks for the reminder of those who willingly serve and protect and how easy it is for us, the protected, to take for granted their sacrifice.
I woulda paid money to see you up against 4 SEALs. At least you gave them something to talk about. (and you are pretty lucky that you only got an eye-roll from the Mrs.)
When I was an Army wife of a helicopter crew chief I used to love hanging out at the airfield and listening to the helicopters. It was a game to guess which one was flying overhead (without looking) based on the sound they made.
Glad you guys had a great trip!
Snort! I bet you have a permanent bruise on your ribcage. Bit off a bit more than you could chew, huh? Oh well, if nothing else that's man card worthy. And you ended it nicely with a reminder of the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. Good job.
Ok, now that didn't feel good.
Sorry for you Billy!
Sometimes us wives do know a thing or two when it is good to be quiet.
Praise God that tatoo was seen and He was able to speak His truths into your heart – with love and grace – as only HE CAN!
Blessings – Jill
Have a safe trip home!
In our family, we refer to "Uncle Sam's Misguided Children" as "Uncle Sam's FINEST." But SEALS are cool, too. I spent several years in the Camp Lejeune/Cherry Point MCAS area and then moved to Fayetteville (home of Fort Bragg) for nine years. I thank God for ALL of our devoted military men and women!
And brother, how strong was that coffee that you had at breakfast that it made you think that you should go toe-to-toe with ANY four dudes?
Tears in my eyes. Again. Your blog is soul food. If they don't already, the FDA should recommend at least one large serving daily.
I love how polite and gracious that Navy SEAL was when he probably could have crushed you under his nerdy little jogging-club thumb. Not that you're lacking in testosterone or manly mojo, of course. No doubt you're loaded with both, which makes it all the more important to have a wise, observant wife sweetening the mix. I'm sure you're thanking God for her, too. Navy SEALS aren't the only ones He sends on special missions.
Jeanne
I know you're okay since we're reading this awesome post!
[thanks to your wife...lol]…That's one of my favorite verse from Isaiah. How many of us are willing to do things for the Lord, especially if He's taking us out of our comfort zone? It's not easy. May God bless these people in our military and law enforcement who are willing to sacrifice their lives every day for the sake of our "freedom". The same reason -freedom – that Christ died for us. God bless.
Wow, I hope you'd washed your feet that morning…
God bless our military!
Every time I come here I either laugh or cry…LOL. I guess that is why I keep coming back.
I love how "real" you are. And, your writing, I think I know why it inspires me. A, it is good; it is very good. B, it is anointed; it is very anointed. It is a gift that flows from your heart to your fingers.
I am thankful to be blessed by it.
Have a great day, Billy, be back soon.
I sat on that same beach last summer also uttering "AWESOME" every time the planes and helicopters flew over head. I LOVE THAT KIND OF STUFF. We went down the road and toured the naval base and got to see a ship leave the dock headed to sea….with the crew standing in formation along the edge. Made me puff up with so much pride that I had tears staining my face. What they do and how they do it….deserves our utmost respect.
And to move off the sidewalk when they run by.
:0)
You are awesome, Billy. Thanks for sharing that story. That verse is one of my favorites too and I will read it just a bit differently now!
Click….
We all (men at least) have those moments of "I'm not budging" that can be about any number things. But never have I picked a fight with 4 Navy Seals! That takes skill (and dare I say, balls).
Love this story. Thanks,
Jason
Hey you know what, we all are guilty of picking pieces of our sole outta our teeth at one point……cut yourself some slack.
The good thing is that you learned something from the humility…..God doesn't waste any experience in our lives.
Yes…we never should forget to give thanks to those who choose to be serve. And this is why, my husband always and will continue to always buy anyone in uniform or a vet their coffee when he is in line at the coffee shop.
Billy,
Thanks for reminding me of things I take for granted because they aren't right in front of me. Unlike the four men you encountered.
Thanks again for always posting your moving stories and keeping me thinking about them throughout the day.
Funny thing, my comment word approval was coment. Guess I was meant to!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
It was probably a great thing your wife was along…not sure how that might have worked out had there not been a bit of estrogen added to the mix! They probably thought you were being all gentlemanly defending the turf your wife was walking on!
Seals are trained extensively in self control. It would take a bit more than a sidewalk scuffle to ruffle their feathers!
The helicopters, troops, etc. are around us all of the time where we live. In fact our house has been shaking for the past hr due to some bomb testing going on nearby. My sons LOVE it…I'm kind of over all the noise; but definitely appreciative of the end results.
Yet another great story – thank you Billy!
Allright, Billy, this is my last warning! If you make me cry one more time… Aww heck, who am I foolin? I'll be back again. And again. But sheesh, could you give a girl a little warning next time?! I'm glad you've had a good vacation at the beach.
Hooyah! Ohhh my. And what a great story, and application of that verse! Ohhh boy.
OMG, Navy Seals, Billy. Jeez, man. LOL.
Awesome post. What a reality check, huh? I'm so thankful to those who shout, "Send me" and keep me safe while they are in harm's way.
Leadership doesn't take mojo, but a willingness to be sent. I can't even imagine how grateful I am to those who lead without asking for anything back.
You backed down just because they were Navy SEALS?
Don't worry, I'm sure Katdish will lend you her man card if you ever need one.
Great post.
… and I just want to say THANK YOU to all the men and women who say "Send me"
Just another reminder:
"Freedom is not free"
willingness to be send
to have been sent,
and to be willing to go again.
Let's give way and support them
Your blog daily feeds me, bless you.
Wow, great post… My husband was stationed near there… Portsmouth, VA… You were surrounded by military!!
What you have written is so true… but few realize the choice these men and their families make. My father-in-law was Army… fought in World War 2 and the Korean War… Two years his wife went without talking to him.. Loved your story, even though I'm sure it was a bit daunting for you!
Funny, I wrote about the Navy Seals this week… hoorah! When talking with Jesus, the only words He said to me were "Navy Seals"… I learned alot this week about what they go through for training.
Hope your vacation was amazing!
Oh, my, you just triggered my own Pavlovian reflex…several of them, all in one post: Virginia, Virginia Beach, helicopters, and military.
I grew up on summers at Va Beach, which is probably where my appreciation for all amazing machinery military comes from…we got to tour Oceana Naval Base back then with a sailor assigned tour bus duty, and we camped at then-Seashore State Park, which is right near the base. We heard air traffic all night long. Some of the best memories of my life are of those vacations.
"Send me." What a beautiful thought, and so true of all of these men and women. I may be a little biased, but my pride in our military never seems to diminish.
Thanks for an "awesome" post. (Really, what other response is there?
)
"Send ME" what a great ending to this post!
My son just informed me that he said "Send me" and will be joining the army this fall.
Gulp
Haha…I had to laugh at the part where your wife was poking you in the ribs…I have to do that one frequently to my hubby.
This is a great story, Billy. You made me laugh AND cry all in one post!
Blessings,
Beth
that was really great! ! ! Keep up the great work!! ! ! !