The Duchess

I had to wait for the Duchess until after her 10 o'clock news Thursday night. By the time we got home, it was about 1:00 a.m. Friday. She had me up and running at full speed Friday morning . We took soundbites for her news package, visited a mother who was flying an American flag in honor of her son who is serving in Iraq. Apparently two National Guardsmen took it upon themselves to trespass and took the tattered American Flag down. As an American fighting man (once) myself, I know what it means for the mother to fly the flag tattered and all. She promised her son that she will fly it day and night until he comes home. I helped rig the flag and had her raise it by herself.

It was amazing that a simple act of kindness and patriotism would go a long way. SSgt. Kelso, the son serving in Iraq, called the Duchess early Saturday morning to personally thank her and I for what we did for her Mom. It meant a lot to him. How fitting that this Memorial Day weekend, a soldier in the battlefield took some time off to thank the Duchess rather than the other way around.

Saturday, was definitely a long day. Think of the movie Silkwood. We had to hike half a mile in a jungle hacking tall grass, bushes and thorns to get to the contaminated creek at the bottom of the mountain. The creek was being polluted by the landfill above the other side of the mountain. The landfill was built without a liner and the seepage runs down the creek. Had to rush late in the afternoon to try to come up with soundbites about a single engine plane crash. Of course, I didn't expect to get something from the family in grief and in shock. Home past 6 p.m. I was given a day off today (Sunday) and I believe that I will be off tomorrow too.

University of Rochester

Santucci found an unpaid internship at Mt.Hope. The program is affiliated with UR. This 20 year old girl is trying her best to ...... to prove that..... Helped her pack, empty the dorm and settled into a temp place. She is sharing a 3-br apartment with 2 PhD candidates. Dan is on his 3rd year of grad school (Bio Mech Engineering) and Ryan, also on his 3rd year of grad school (Oncology). Will be back again the end of May to pack and help her move to another house which would be good for the entire summer. Another trip around the end of August to pack and move again for the last year of undergrad at UR.

The Queen, Santucci and the Duchess

In nine days, I'd be on the road real early and drive for about 7 hrs. I have done this process a few many times that I feel I could close my eyes and finish the tasks. I have to size up what needs to go home and which are the ones going to the storage if there is one. Will be traveling on two cars, LTGEN2 and LTGEN4. Three days after I finish unloading, I'll be packing again to fly and spend 5 nights/6 days with the Duchess of Florence! The month of May started with my Queen's Coronation and would end with my Duchess!

Sweet Memories with our Queen Azalea

Things must come to an end. I only wish that it was not so soon. I didn't want to come back yet, but....We had such a great time seeing Magda beginning with the wreath laying ceremony at the MacArthur Memorial. We witnessed her parade downtown Norfolk. She found time to see us and joined us for breakfast on a day when she has late wakeup being Sunday. We literally dragged her out of bed. Thank you sweetheart for finding time to fit us into your very hectic schedule. We will always treasure the sweet memories!

The City of Norfolk fell in love with you!