Navy Lodge

For those of you that don't know (myself included until I noticed the plaque), the Navy Lodge facility on Construction Battalion Center Gulfport is named after Robert Stethem. I am proud that I spent a majority of my career in the Navy working with the current iteration of Underwater Construction Technicians, and that all of them were selflessly upholding the principles that Bobby did every day his life. If you're in the area, take a moment and look for the plaque and remember "freedom isn't free".

More Than A Box -

Of all the things I have ever received as a gift - this is the end all, be all. Charlie B gave it to me today and yeah I did get choked up... If you had a hand in conceiving the idea for this, setting up the sacrificial engraving, rigging the charges, getting it from point A to point B, or any of the other phases - please accept my biggest MAHALO. Thank you all very much! For reasons best left alone, I chose to not have a ceremony (if you really want to know why, give me a holler and we can have a couple of chicken wings while I tell you - you'll say "oh, that's why" afterwards) - but small gestures here and there over the past few months let me know I did my best and was able to make a difference. I know the time and effort that goes into making a plate and box like this and this was no small feat - I can't say thanks enough and I will miss the camaraderie that this represents. HOOYAH SEABEE DIVER BROTHERS!!! I'll see you on the other side!