A Family Who Serves Our Country

We left Savannah on Labor day for the drive to Columbus, GA for the festivities surrounding Collie's niece Shanon's graduation from Officer's Candidate School. I had been in Columbus in May for my Grandson Sam's graduation from basic training.

Shannon is in the Utah Army Reserves and already served three years in the army as enlisted personnel. The OCS class began with 112 - 82 graduated. Shannon was 6th in the class, with out-of-site PT scores.

Tuesday we Collie rented a tux. I wore clothes from my retro 70's & 80's wardrobe, with new shoes and a cute beaded feather in my hair that I had purchased from a vendor at the River Walk in Savannah. That evening we drove to the site of the ball, located on the Chattahoochee River.

The ball was proceeded by a social hour and photos, where Shannon greeted us and introduced us to many of her class mates. So many interesting about-to-be second lieutenants from all over the US. Shannon escorted us through the receiving line whee we were introduced to all the army brass and their wives. Were were seated at our table and the colors were posted, followed by the invocation and toasts. The toast to fallen comrades who make the ultimate sacrifice brought tears to my eyes. It was given over an empty table covered with white and set for two.

It was so much fun to dance along with these young people, the women looking special in their formal dresses, and the men and women graduating looking squared away in their uniforms.

Thursday aftnoon we attended the graduation and were thrilled to be part of the crowd of parents and loved ones who witnessed our future leaders get their bars.

Deep South Continued

We broke up days at the beach with a day in Savannah, shopping along the Savannah River Walk, eating pralines and varieties of seafood; fried, boiled and broiled. The River Walk was lined with vendors selling original arts and crafts. I purchased a small signed photo of a shack (it could have been the home of a slave family) on Oatland Island taken by Jane Neville, which she signed and dated. One vendor was selling jewelery made of artifacts taken from private digs - tiny ceramic dolls, old coins and thimbles as well as broken china. Couldn't resist a neckless as a souvenier.

That evening we ate at the Crab Shack on Tybee Island a really crazy and interesting place. Before being shown to our table, the grandchildren fed the alligators. We ordered drinks and shared a plate of Southern Boil, piled with crayfish, shrimp, mussels, corn, potatoes, and greens. Six of us ate our fill for only $16!

We left Hilton Head on Monday for the drive to Columbus, returning to Savannah in an attempt to have lunch at Lady & Sons, the restaurant owned by the lovely southern bell, Paula Dean. Our driving time to Columbus was estimated to be four hours. The waits to dine were infamous. Luck us! We arrived, had a short wait to see the reservationist and graciously shown to the third floor. Mark, our waiter had worked his way through college at Lady & Sons. He said that there was rarely turn over. His ambition was to open a restaurant for Paula.

Well, the food! Full of butter and fats, fresh produce and absolutely delicious. I could eat the fried green tomatoes every day. We decided it was an every 5 year meal. Collie had the chicken pot pie filled with chicken breast and cheese. I had the buffet and a taste of everything. We shared the fried green tomatoes. Note the peach mint julep by my plate.