Bronwyn's Farewell Dinner

Oh, Bronwyn's farewell dinner was last night. The tears, they were a-flowin!

We started off with some opening remarks followed by dinner ("Shrimp or chicken?"). After dinner, we announced our "Ten Favorite Things About Bronwyn", a la David Letterman. Then we watched an awesome slideshow of pictures that Angie had put together. It was 12 minutes long and really captured the time we have spent here with Bronwyn. (Tears.)

After that, Amanda presented her with the scrapbook, which ended up to be huge and a tad overwhelming to take in all at once. (More tears.)

Then Angie presented her with a present from her. It was a painting of 3 fans - one with Fuji on it, one with the the squadron logo on it, and one with a tiara on it. She LOVES a tiara - a sucker for all the sparkles.(Again, tears.)

Next came a quilt with 9 squares on it, each representing a memory or Japanese icon. It was presented by me, I guess, because I had written the poem on the back of it. Not because I had anything to do with the creating of it. Now. The poem would have been a lot easier to read, had we all not been so emotional already. I got almost all the way through it and then broke down at the end, where I sounded like Minnie Mouse. She was completely overwhelmed and surprised by the quilt. She wasn't expecting it and I know it's something she'll cherish her whole life. (Through my tears, I couldn't see anyone else crying, but I'm sure they were.)

Then it was Bron's turn to stand up and talk. She presented us each with a "medal" of achievement for being the awesome Navy wives that we are. (And yet more tears!) I think I'm going to wear mine every day! (The medal, not the tears.)

By that time, Tater had graciously shown up to take a group photo of us all and then we headed into the bar to sing a bit of karaoke. We sang until 11:30pm, when Tommy (another bartender) turned the lights on and kicked us out for the second night in a row. I just don't think anyone wanted it to end. We knew that once we went home that was it. The next time we're together will be the Change of Command Ceremony.

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The Poem: (Each verse represents a block on the poem. The *word* in asterisks is the picture on the quilt square. The first block is a kanji symbol meaning, "friend".)

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"Three Years In Japan"

The symbol, in *Kanji*, means “Friends”. Friends forever.
Through thick and through thin and in all kinds of weather.

A sparkly *crown* is all a girl needs.
Well, that, and a dress with long swishy beads.

*Mt. Fuji’s* a challenge you stood up and conquered.
To celebrate after, we drank beer, got zonkered.

Shy Japanese ladies peek out from their their *fan*
But we hear “shut up Baka” by Japanese man.

The *F~~~~~~ Family Crest’s* in the middle
Don’t think it’s official – we fudged it a little.

A traditional Japanese girl wears *kimono*
And traditional Japanese wine wears “winomo”.

That Bron loves the camera. Just grab one and see –
She’ll pose like a *Superstar* down on one knee.

Before PCS learn to fold *paper crane*.
Gives you something to do during long summer rain.

Our beacon’s a *lantern*, we’ll follow it home
No matter how far off the Kanto we roam.