Another 10 November just went by

[Clovis Man]

Here's how I spent November 10th this year -- wasn't really what I had hoped for, but it wasn't a total loss.

See, November tenth is the Marine Corps' Birthday -- and if I can find another Marine on that day, I try to give them a cigar to enjoy.

Anyway, here's something I sent in to a Marine Corps group --
Well -- another 10 November has come and gone. This one wasn't one of my favorites, until the end anyway.

I started the day with a two mile walk down the main drag of Clovis, New Mexico. Since it was the Marine Corps' Birthday, I decided to add a mile, for a total of three -- and I wore a Marine utility cover, just for old times' sake.

Living in an Air Force town, you see a few Marines here and there, mostly retirees. They all seem to have a big USMC license plate on the front of their car. Always before, I have seen at least ONE, but not this time. Nope, zilch, nada. No Marines during my walk. That wasn't what I had hoped.

Back at home, time to get ready for the day. S, S, & S. Yep, you know.

For the rest of the day, I looked everywhere, but came up empty. I couldn't even attend the Marine Corps Birthday celebration that night at the local VFW, due to an earlier commitment in Roswell. Gee, I was really disappointed.

That night my wife (another Marine, at least!) and I met our youngest son (born on November 10!!!) for dinner. We had ordered and were waiting, when a man wearing a MARINES ball cap walked in. FINALLY! Another Marine!

He never did notice me trying to get his attention, so I watched where he sat, and then went out to the car and got a cigar to give him for a Marine Corps Birthday gift. I walked over there, and interrupted his ordering, and told him I had looked all day, and he was the first INKLING I had seen of Marines. Gave him the cigar, and wished him a Happy Birthday.

He cried.

After a minute, we spoke. He seemed to be a little confused as to the date, thinking "it" was tomorrow -- the eleventh. Seems he was a Viet Nam vet, and I suppose he got treated like crap by our country back then.

Since he was confused over the date, I'm not even sure he was a Marine, but I'm not sure I mind too much -- at least I got to brighten somebody's day, and perhaps take some of the pain away.