My Buddie Eddie
What a dope I am sometimes. I met the cutest Soldier at WR several weeks ago and he’s fast becoming one of my all-time favorite young warriors. He told me that he entered America as an “illegal”, but that it was all cool now since he had been fast-tracked to citizenship (one of the really good things Military service will do for you!). He was even given his citizenship by THE President of these United States, Mr. George W. Bush himself. How d’ya like me now?
Eddie is the one in the glasses next to Mr. President.
I downloaded this picture in July and it didn’t dawn on me until today to go back and look at it more closely. Sure enough - there’s Eddie!!!
Two weeks ago he learned that he was not going to lose his injured leg - something he’s been dreading for months and months. The surgeons took a final look and said “Nope, I think it’s going to be fine!” What a relief!!!! Edward Leal-Cardenas speaks 5, Count ‘em FIVE, languages including Japanese. He’s one of the really bright young men that you just want to hug and never let go of.
October 27th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
WAY TO GO EDDIE!!!
GN, it’s just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO unfair for you to get to meet and hug all these amazing men and women! OK, I guess it’s not so unfair since you are THERE and “we” are all here and there and everywhere else. Give Eddie a BIG THANKS from me!!! Hope I get back to WR soon so I can meet him, too!
October 27th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
Geez, was thinking the same as Leta…but as she pointed out, you *are* there….just remember, you’re giving hugs for a lot of us…so make’m BIG hugs.
October 27th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
WOO HOO EDDIE!!! According to some friends in DC, the hugging is partial compensation for enduring teh traffic:) I still wish I could be there though, drawbacks and all!
October 27th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
It was a guy named Eddie who sold me on joining the Corps.
I have no idea what happened to him.
Thank God this Eddie made it.
October 28th, 2006 at 12:48 am
It was great to hear about Eddie.
October 28th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
Awwwwwwwwww man, GN. You sure know how to hit the soft spots in our hearts. Stand-up Pete; Lucky Eddie; Concerned Grunt…… heh, heh. You’re nothin’ but a MamaNutt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All heart.
October 31st, 2006 at 6:03 am
Yes, I met Eddie too, he’s a great inspiration, when I was with Diana Irey (http://www.irey.com) at Walter Reed Hospital. I took this picture of them: http://www.vets4irey.com/DianaWReed072806a/images/DSCN0710.jpg