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On May 8, 1994, I was fishing for Halibut off Deep Creek, Alaska. My 9 months pregnant wife was home with her OBGYN Nurse Mom who had come up for the birth.

I called home on that Sunday Mothers Day in 1994 about the same time as a State Trooper lit up the truck I was in to stop us.

Although I called home, the phone had been forwarded to my wife's cell phone where she reported that she'd been in labor for about 5 hours and perhaps I should hurry. Anyone knows the geography here knows that's not possible. 30 minutes by plane is 5 hours by car.

Fortunately, Mr. Trooper was there, "Pep, where the hell have you been, we've been looking for you, hop in, I'll run you to the Kenai Airport, there's a ticket waiting for you"! Waved to my Pal Monty (RIP) off I went in the custody of AST.

That's the beginning of the story of Miranda's life.

Today, another chapter began when she graduated from Culinary College.







Well Done Miranda Sue Pepper . . . very well done indeed.

Congrats! Time does fly indeed... I do remember you talking about your little girl, she's a fine young lady now

So I also meet Miranda's current hero . . . an Army Private First Class. Well, my first question is "who is your Sergeant Major"? No answer. "Who is your First Sergeant". Stumbles, gets it right. "Who is Deputy CG?" Fail.

I sent a note to his Division CSM, an old friend about brushing up on CoC.

Otherwise a decent kid. Showed up, specifically to meet me. Was funny, when Miranda's step dad (a damn good man) walked in to his house, he said, "See, Josh, I told you you'd get grilled, once a CSM, always a CSM".

"Private", I said, "I was in the US Army leading a Tank Platoon before you were born, don't screw this up".

He was at Parade Rest.

What happened to our little ones? ::sigh:: Soon, my little one will turn SIX! On a very special day, right Carmen?

ANCFlyer wrote:So I also meet Miranda's current hero . . . an Army Private First Class.

Had a long-time friend of the teen come to the house the other day, both now 13...had an urge to beat the crap out of him just 'cause I could. We'll see how I react when they get older. Of course, the more 'balls' the kid has, the more respect he'll get from me.

AndesSMF wrote:Soon, my little one will turn SIX! On a very special day, right Carmen?

A very special day it is But six already?! They grow up so fast, indeed!

I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that I'll be 30...

ANCFlyer wrote:Well Done Miranda Sue Pepper . . . very well done indeed.

Congrats to Ms Pepper! Of course, to you and her Mom as well. I'm a firm believer that that apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

ANCFlyer wrote:So I also meet Miranda's current hero . . . an Army Private First Class. Well, my first question is "who is your Sergeant Major"? No answer. "Who is your First Sergeant". Stumbles, gets it right. "Who is Deputy CG?" Fail.

I'm guessing task saturation. It's nerve-racking meeting the Dad.

AndesSMF wrote:had an urge to beat the crap out of him just 'cause I could.

Wouldn't it be better just to add him to your spreadsheet?

FlyingAce wrote:I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that I'll be 30

I can barely see 30 in my rearview mirror!

30 as in 30 MPG?