presentation day

[Dogsabighelp]

hello all,thought id give you update on seans medal presentation.i was told to expect about 6 of seans comrades from t/a unit.i went with my freinds/neighbours,thank god i changed mind about taking dog,they had the most beautiful cake with them,which of course would not have survived journey had socks been there!as it was,when we got there(adapted vechile for wheelchair)she was carrying cake and heel of boot got caught in ramp,i grabbed it,her other foot got stuck so she had to sit down and take both boots off.im laughing my head off,then i hear this voice...hi lesley do you need a hand?..the army had arrived!!!what a perfect afternoon.there were about 15 guys in full dress,a retired capt and former corp who have known sean since he was 17,even guys new to unit who have never met sean turned up,there was a lot of banter and some stories i was told many more could be told.the capt read out a citation from seans regular army unit (RLC)with credits.they gave him 2 framed plaques,R.L.C/R.E.M.E crests in the middle his service medal,iraq,n/ireland,queens jubilee.the other was a full unit from his t/a.one of the guys who has visited sean took away a photo of sean with his gran had it framed and gave him along with r.e.m.e training shirts,saying the fastest runner/fittest chef he ever met!it was emotional,lovely,sad.but very happy.one of carers leaving work shouted "up the hammers",someone said(tosser)but not sure who...i had call last night the cake left was given to seans pals/carers who have all been to see his plaques which have been hung on wall.........

[Alibongo60]

Hi D, that sounded like a brilliant day, and hope Sean enjoyed it, but I bet it tired him out. My daughter has just read your entry and says that’s how it should be, once a soldier always a soldier, I hope they keep in touch with him. I hope the staff are going to be putting his medals on tomorrow for Remembrance Day, and putting the tv on for him, we are going to our local service, my daughter finds it very draining but won’t miss it for anything with her beret on and medals, it’s very important to them, take care love Alice xx

[Dogsabighelp in reply to Alibongo60]

hey alice,thanks love for reply.care unit was i noticed respectful of "poppy day".we did have a chat about who was doing what on the 13th,there were no plans for this t/a unit.seans old o/c,who was very emotional all afternoon said he would be going to a service and would say a prayer for him.i went to church for the first time in maybe 6 yrs,it used to be a thing when my dad was alive(used to get in some states!)i was gobsmacked to see seans name on board of "prayers"...went after service home,dodging requests to join in with soldiers,all my age/older on the obligitory "pub crawl",i know my limits..

[cat3]

What a day of mixed emotions Lesley ...........Maybe pride tinged with sadness being the main ones ? Do you have any photos to mark the occasion ; it would be lovely to see Sean surrounded by his comrades. I hope he took it all in and can savour the day's events for a long, long time.

You never fail to bring some humour along with you. I can't help picturing the cake crashing to the ground and, god forbid, the scene if Sox had been there ; 'A Dog's Breakfast' I think it's called !

I'm so glad the day went well for you all m'love - really good to hear. 😃 Xx

[Dogsabighelp in reply to cat3]

well what else can you do cat?like i told her,i had same sort of heels,but considered the ramp and wore appropriate?dunno what she was thinking...was her b/day yesterday i sent flowers by post but made cinder toffee and buried a shoe,took me ages and i burnt fingers.not a real shoe...sean shared what was left of cake with his freinds/carers,thats what im told anyway.

[cat3 in reply to Dogsabighelp]

I hope it'll be remembered with a laugh - especially since the flowers arrive (nice gesture from you Lesley). I hope the cinder toffee turned out well & fingers aren't too sore 😦 Oh.......and that the buried shoe keeps troubles at bay ! Xx

[Pairofboots]

Sounds like it was a fitting presentation for Sean x

[Painting-girl]

It sounds wonderful D - so glad x

[Leaf100]

Hi DBH,

That sounds like quite the day - I am so glad his unit turned up, and I hope they continue to. These things are so important, even though emotions are mixed.

You're great at finding the humour in things. This is a great skill - and also it's important that you also have an outlet for other feelings. Sometimes we feel pressured to put on the cheerful thing, but the deeper waters tell a different story.

I'm so glad the day went so well. Take care of yourself.

Leaf x

[Dogsabighelp in reply to Leaf100]

thankyou.l.you so right,i have more to do...

[catrabb1t]

this was very uplifting to read about x

[Dogsabighelp in reply to catrabb1t]

thankyouxx

[skydivesurvivor]

sounds like a well deserved excellent day! Dispute the hiccups!!I wish him luck!