My dad and I are staying this weekend at the Navy Lodge at Bethesda Naval Hospital. You’re going to say that I have no right to be there, and you’re perfectly right; I’m very sensible of the fact. But my Dad, a retired captain and Vietnam combat veteran (river patrol boats) has every right to be there, and I’m his driver, so I’m staying with him.
Dad and I came up for his sister’s 90th birthday party, which is this afternoon. I mention that just because it really seems to bug bud whenever I, as an unemployed guy, take what he regards as a “vacation.” I’m just along to drive my Dad’s car — and to see relatives I haven’t seen in about 13 years. I’m looking forward to it, but it’s not like I’m being a spendthrift being here. Dad’s paying for the gas. (bud also thought I was engaging in riotous living when I drove my daughter to Pennsylvania and drove back the next day; then repeated the process to bring her back two weeks later. I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t at Club Med; I was more like Dean Moriarty driving, maniacally driving through the ever-loving heart of America, you understand, ahem, yes…)
My Dad had wanted to spend even less and stay at the BOQ, but there was no room. And he fully understood why it can be hard to get a room there, and at the Lodge (where rates are more like a civilian motel) — because military families come here to visit their wounded loved ones back from the war. At least, we assume that’s the reason. Consequently, if one of those families needs the room we’re in, we’ll vacate it in a skinny minute.
The president visited wounded over at Walter Reed yesterday, as we were driving up here. As it happens, a new Walter Reed — or an extension, or something — is being built on the grounds of Bethesda Naval. I think this is because of the terrible conditions we heard so much about a year or two ago over at Reed. Good. There was a time when the main tower of Bethesda Naval was about all there was, and there was a 9-hole golf course on the grounds around it. But that was long, long ago, and a far more important use has been found for the space.
I’m in awe, and deeply grateful, to be so close to men and women who have given so much for their country. I thought the image I shot just after sunset, showing the main tower of the hospital, sort of captured that feeling.
Of course, Bethesda and Reed have long also been used for less awe-inspiring purposes, such as medical care for members of Congress. But that’s not what was on my mind when I took that picture.
Home is the sailor, home from the sea/And the hunter home from the hill. But not in the sense that Stevenson meant, thank God, but home and alive. May God speed them to recovery, and a full life back among their loved ones.
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Have a great time with your father. Ask him questions you never thought to ask before. Ask where he spent Thanksgiving and Christmas as a child and what they ate. I have a whole booklet of questions to ask our aging parents if you would like it. Great post.
Todd is right. Don’t waste a moment.
Brad, enjoy the time with your dad. I know I wish I had spent a more time with mine when he was still with us. Just enjoy being with yours and having a great father and son trip.
And, no disrespect for bud, but what the HELL difference does it make to you what he or anyone else thinks about how you spend your time or money, especially when it comes to family matters?
Well, we had a great time at Aunt Bobbie’s birthday party up in North Potomac. Saw all my cousins, and I wish I had the chance to see them more often. We agreed that the last time we were together was at a reunion back in the late 90s (or was it 2000?).
You know what I said about being Dad’s driver? I really feel that way every time we return to the Naval facility. Used to be you just drove onto the grounds via any one of several entrances. Now, you just come in the main gate, and it’s manned by Marines in woodlands-patterned BDUs. Everyone in the car is required to show ID. I show my SC driver’s license. Dad shows his military ID that shows he’s a retired captain. That gets a snappy salute from the Marines. (The first time through the gate, we didn’t know whether the guards were Navy or Marine, because you can’t tell right away in the dark, in those fatigues. But the quality of the salute settled the question.)
He’s the captain, and I’m the captain’s driver. That’s the highest rank I’m ever likely to attain, and higher than I deserve.
Three years when my dad’s wartime unit (384 Bomb Group) visited the various memorials in Washington, I noticed a lot of salutes for them from active duty personnel. Of course, there were a couple of retired colonels in the pack . . .
Thanks for sharing, I sinerely hope you enjoyed every minute with you father
Fact is I’m glad that Brad is able to spend time with his family. I have a daughter in Connecticut but can’t possibly afford to go visit right now. And I have 2 jobs! I’m glad Brad has the means to do so. He’s obviously better situated to do this than I am. Does anyone need a driver to go to Groton CT?
bud–
We won’t ask if she’s attending the school there and that’s why you’re so broke and busy. 😉
I’m glad Brad can have some good times with his Dad. There’s some good to come out of unemployment for some.