Another Award for the Cliffinator

Cliff was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for the work he did on his last deployment.

I'm sure most of the twelve of you who follow this blog are already aware...but Cliff spent six months of last year in Kuwait overseeing the dignified transfer of remains of US and allied forces, active duty and civilian, for Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to supervising both the mortuary affairs teams, he was also the Officer in Charge of the Marine detachment, and was responsible for tracking and ministering to all the Marine patients at the hospital on the base. He was the only Chaplain, so he was busy all the time, mostly surviving on a naps-worth of sleep. He participated in 200+ ramp ceremonies, day and night, to assure every fallen angel received honor and respect every step of their journey home.

We are (of course) very proud of his service ALL the time...but especially proud of this opportunity he had to serve. He said it was a million dollar experience he wouldn't have paid a dollar for...and I can see why. There is a reason the job only lasts six months. It's a lot for one person to handle, emotionally and physically.

Anyway, we don't always go in for his awards (the fifth Navy Commendation Medal kind of lost its luster...just sayin') but this one, we got all dressed up to see. Here are some photos of the day:

Don't they look excited to be here?

Call to attention...

While the citation is read...

And everyone listens intently...

And the Colonel adds words of his own...

And then Cliff gets to speak, too...and makes me cry a little...partly because of the sweet things he said, partly because of the memories it drudged up.

Jake's getting too tall...we're going to have to rethink our standard formation.

Oh, how I love that man!

Congratulations, Sweetie...well deserved!