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RECRUIT WILSON
It is with great sadness and many tears that I must announce the passing of a fellow Comrade and friend....Recruit Wilson.
Wilson joined us three years ago, and we were surprised at the ability of this little recruit
to hide her identity and gender for so long before owning up that she was indeed a girl.
She had us all fooled and gained our respect for subversive tactics,
(not to mention her ability to dismantle any hardware and equipment within reach).
It's sad to lose a Commando that had so much more life and love to give...
to lose a friend that we barely had time to know...
to see one more light switched off far to soon.
I know that Wilson's family will miss her so very much.
But I also know that her addition to their lives was immense,
that she was cherished,
and that her memory will always be looked back upon with a smile,
a laugh,
and a warmth of heart.
Wilson now has another adventure to begin, and another life to live.
Just as there was someone very special to see her through this life...
to care for her, nurture her, and love her...
there will be someone to greet her, take her wing, and tell her:
"Don't worry Wilson, I'll do all the paddling. You just hang on".
Safe seas, Wilson
Kinney
Prez
*************************
MAJOR PEEWEE
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I must announce the passing of another fellow Commando.
Major PeeWee was one of our highly decorated Officers
and an original Commando member that vowed to one day take over the world.
He lent his expertise on many missions,
received an Outstanding Service Medal,
was a CJIT Instructor,
and a valued member of the Land Team.
PeeWee spent many a day with us adventuring,
and I can only surmise that at least some of his willingness to go above and beyond in Commando duty
was to avoid the dreaded torment of "Mr. Squishy" at home.
A famous human named Ralph Waldo Emerson once said:
"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer."
I think he got it wrong....at least when it came to PeeWee.
There are friends you come to know,
and know that they will stand by you when times are tough,
(not just when you have millet),
and PeeWee was a friend like that.
He always had your back, he jumped in flapping at the first opportunity,
and he stood beside you till the very end...
till the mission was accomplished...
and it was time to go home.
Five minutes longer doesn't do justice to PeeWee...
he was always in it for the long haul.
And now that he is gone, it is time for all of us to stand beside his memory and watch over it,
nurture it, treasure it...
and despite our tears and our sorrow... vow to be in it for the long haul.
No, five minutes isn't nearly enough time for bravery,
for love, or for remembering.
It takes much much more.
It takes a lifetime of knowing someone,
and then a lifetime again to learn to live without them.
It's going to be a tough thing to do.
It's going to take courage than one can imagine.
But for you, PeeWee, we will be brave.
Fly high wherever you are. And remember that we will always have your back.
Kinney
Prez
*************************
CORPORAL PATTI
It is with great sorrow and many tears that I must announce the passing of one of our own... our dear Corporal Patti.
Patti was a true Commando, in spirit and in heart, and there was always something special that everyone could see...
a little sparkle in her eye, a coy flick of the tail, or simply diving in with a "Butt's Up" to get her fair share.
A Diva no doubt, but deservedly so...for she was to her family, her friends, and her comrades,
a shining example of the most precious of jewels.
And Patti had a heart of gold.
She spun her love and her laughter around your heart like a band of Forever After and Always...
drew it in tight, and clasped it to her own, so that your heart became strong and mighty
to face the world with all it's challenges each and every day.
Her voice was crystal clear... always dancing...
like fragments of shimmering silver that called out to be near you.
And one could never turn away from an invitation like that to come and play.
Her eyes held your memories of Together...
saving one after another in pools like amber,
where you could see so exquisitely through to experience nuance and detail,
and remember all over again each moment that made up a lifetime.
Patti will be missed.
There will be a little less love, a little less laughter without her,
and a little more sadness in the world now that she is gone.
But her brightness will never fade, nor will it tarnish,
because we hold both small moments and great adventures
that we can string on a thread of gold and clasp around our hearts
Forever After and Always of a brilliant, rare jewel we once held in our hands.
Corporal Patti leaves us with the highest of honours,
and a special day of tribute, May 18th,
where we will look to the skies for a moment or two,
shed a tear, and remember what a joy it was to know her.
I salute you, Corporal Patti.
May you fly high, and never touch the ground.
Kinney
Prez
*************************
LIEUTENANT TORY
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved friend, Lieutenant Tory.
She left us suddenly, and she left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.
Lieutenant Tory was a a highly decorated member of the Commandos.
She participated in many missions, just as many events,
and received many medals for her outstanding efforts and achievements,
not to mention the admiration and respect of her fellow comrades.
When not in uniform, Tory was the apple of her Hooman's eye.
She was so very loved, and it will be a long time before her home and castle will be the same...
a long time before tears will dry and hearts will mend.
There wasn't a day we spent with Tory that she didn't extend her friendship, her caring, and her laughter.
She was not the boisterous kind... but she was always with us in a subtle way...
like the gentle reminder of a very first day of Spring...
the sweetness of experiencing a small hint of warmth on your shoulder, or a bud showing its first hints of awakening...
a snowbound flower that beckons your attention with soft glimpses of colour, and promises of better days to come.
But like Spring, Tory has left us suddenly and without warning...
days of gentle coaxed beauty, replaced by the searing heat of reality.
And it's hard to let go.
To remember that memories are the lifeline back to a loved one are what keeps us from falling...
they are what keeps us bound together, and never apart.
In times like these, we just have to look for the soft glimpses of colour when our hearts are frozen with grief...
the promise of better days to come.
Tory, where ever you may be, we are with you.
On this day, February 7th each year, we stand silent for just a moment in our lives
to feel the sweet touch of your warmth upon our shoulder
and to be reminded of how much light and laughter, friendship and kindness, you brought into our lives.
May your wings always carry our hearts.
I salute you,
Prez Kinney
*************************
CORPORAL FALLOW GIRL
It is with great sorrow and many tears that we must say goodbye to our Corporal Fallow Girl.
Our deepest regrets go out to a little girl's family who will miss her so...
her sisters Tory and Half Pint, and especially a Mom who loved and cared for her so.
Fallow Girl was young, and she was beautiful.
Her eyes were like jewelled stones of fire that reflected her spirit
and sparked those around her to take notice.
I once asked her what she saw through those brilliant eyes...
did she see the world differently...
did she notice things most of us would glimpse ever-so-briefly and then forget...
did life take on a colour that few of us every imagined could be?
And here is her reply:
"I see the promise in each new day.
I see the sun as its first light arches against the darkness and drives away the night.
I see a ray of hope in every smile, and the twinkle of laughter in its corners.
I see the souls of the innocent shine through all the clouds that seek to surround them.
I see the wonder in the faces of the newly born, and grace in the eyes of those leaving."
I once asked her if it ever hurt to look so deeply and be witness to so much...
did it cause her fear...
did it make her weep...
did it comfort her?
And she replied:
"I only see what is already there.
I only see what was meant to be, and how things began and should remain.
I only see truths, whether they be spoken or not.
I only see the good in friendship, in compassion, and in love, for that is all there is to see."
I once asked her if she ever closed her eyes to the world...
to rest...
to sleep...
to be at peace.
And again she confided:
"When I leave this world, I will close my eyes only once.
And it will be to emblazon what I have seen in each moment upon my heart.
All of the joys, all of the kindnesses, all of the treasures.
I will take them with me as my own light fades like the soft dancing of a setting sun.
And I will open them once again to a Rainbow."
Corporal, your life with us has been all too brief...
the sparkle in your eyes gone...
the tears in our eyes many.
But one day we all will share that moment when we open our own eyes to see a Rainbow...
and when we do...
you will be standing under it to greet us,
you will tell us of all the beauty you have seen, and you will be our guide.
Until then, we will see every memory we shared together.
Go steady and go swift, Corporal!
We salute you!
Kinney
Prez.
*************************
CORPORAL BASIL
Once again, it is with great sadness that we must bow our heads and wipe the tears from our eyes
in memory of a lost Commando, and for a Commando whose heart is broken.
Corporal Basil will be greatly missed by us all, and by her family...
but it is her one true love that will carry thoughts of her with him forever more.
Boo, we are so sorry your Friend, your Mate, your Love is gone.
There may come a time for some of us, when we see the face of our destiny
by first looking into the eyes of our Beloved.
All our hopes and dreams become realized in that second of unending joy...
a glimpse of the happiness, comfort and security that comes with knowing we are not alone in this world.
We know in that moment of searching into another's soul, that contentment will stave off the worry,
that peace will lift us into the clouds of stability, and that our journey in this life has a reason,
because we can share our fears and our triumphs with someone else.
There may come a time for some of us, when we hear the call of our Soulmate...
in our hearts and in our minds....as a beacon of light in the darkness...
telling us that the sound we hear will protect us, soothe us, and follow us wherever we may go.
The twinkle of merriment that lifts our spirit when we are down.
The whisper serenity when we are near.
The voice of reason when we are lost.
And there may come a time for some of us, when having a companion to hold and to cherish
brings forth the culmination of both spirits born into a brand new life...
a life that is whole only because a part of each found a way to one another.
In that new life... that new small mirror of ourselves...
lies all the moments shared and all the moments treasured.
Not a miracle, but a testament to what love can accomplish.
And there may come a time for some of us, when that love needs to endure
without the presence of the other half of our destiny.
Then, we must walk the rest of a long road with only memories to guide us and to comfort us.
We must journey through the remainder of our life looking through the eyes of our children to see our future.
And we must listen to our hearts to hear the voice that once carried us through the darkness
until our own spirit lifts away from this world to be with our Beloved once more.
One day, Basil, you will be joined by your love,
and he will tell of all that he has seen and all that he has done.
And he will tell you that your children are beautiful... grown...
and fulfilling their own lives in so many ways that would make you proud.
And he will look into your eyes, and once again know that he is home.
Until then, we will take Boo under our wings and keep him safe...keep him whole.
I salute you, Corporal Basil!
Your memory will remain with us.
Kinney
Prez.
*************************
CORPORAL GUS
It is with great sorrow, sadness, and tears that I must announce the passing
of our dear friend and Comrade... Corporal Gus.
Gus will be deeply missed by his family, and by his special companion, Pokey.
In Commando circles, Gus was a quiet Corporal... subdued, quiet, even a little demure...
and his expression nothing short of angelic.
But looks can be deceiving, and like a true Parrotlet,
Gus had a fiery soul and a fierce bravery pitted against the largest appliances in the world.
He spent much of his time telling the "spin cycle" where to go,
and had a particular fondness for cutlery.
In fact, he had absolutely no qualms about demanding the very best in a voice that carried for miles.
If one were to perch outside for a moment this time of year and breathe in the crisp, fall air...
one would notice that every bit of foliage was dramatically altering
from the generalities of spring and summer,
to intense rebellious hues that dared Winter to step forward.
Red, orange, deep purple announcing each individual leaf with a bombastic visual extravaganza
that defies the coming of the cold... as if to say, "I dare you! I dare you to take away my brilliance!".
In those moments when I glance through panes of glass to a scene of fire, blaze, and glory,
I will think of Gus.
Of a small voice living large in an even larger world.
Of the will to hang on in moments when all seemed lost.
Of a personality that reached beyond a mere 30 grams...
to capture and hold and claim as his own.... the hearts of those he loved the most.
Never letting go. Never giving in.
Never having to know that, one day, tomorrow wouldn't be there.
Gus left us in spectacular fashion... as was his way. No regrets.
We will be left with the memory of a life he commanded...
every bit in charge...
every bit lived to its fullest.
A memory that would do us all well never to forget.
Go in peace, Gus. Go in glory. And while you're up there, raise some hell.
From this day forward, we will mark our calendars as a tribute... not to one who has fallen,
but to the grand and defiant palate of colour that Gus brought into each of our lives.
We salute you, Corporal!
Kinney
Prez.
*************************
CORPORAL TIMBER
It is with a heavy heart and much sorrow that I must announce the loss of one of our own...
Corporal "Timmy" Timber.
In some small way, I hope the following story will help to comfort those who Timber touched in his life...
his family, his friends and Comrades,
those who cared for him from the moment he became an egg,
to those that were with him in his last moments.
Those that knew him and drew him close, and those that admired him from afar:
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, a gentle warm breeze descended from the sky.
It pushed away the harsh cold gales of winter and settled in a small valley
that had seen nothing but ice and snow for many months.
The creatures that lived in the valley were overjoyed at the gift they had been given,
for each day they felt the soft tingle of new beginnings against their cheek,
the brush of new life against each hand,
and a cloak of warmth that accompanied them to and fro wherever they traveled.
They felt their burdens lifted, and their sorrows rise to drift over the mountain tops.
One day, a small Thrush asked his mother why they could not see
what so obviously
brought them each such joy.
"What does it look like?, he asked.
"Why can we not hold it in our hands?" he questioned.
"Why is it with us all the time, yet it takes no form?", he mused.
His mother smiled and replied,
"Well...it looks likes your smile. And we hold it in our hearts, not our hands.
But most importantly, it only takes form when we pass it from ourselves to others.
When we give it freely without reservation or conditions.
It then comes back to us much stronger than ever and gives us more joy than we can imagine."
Spring turned to summer, summer to fall, and then to ice and snow once more.
As soon as he saw the blanket of cold and white descend from the mountain tops to cover the valley,
the small Thrush ran to his mother, his eyes blurred with tears.
"It is gone!", he wailed, "Gone!"
His mother touched her head to his gently, and whispered one word,
"Remember".
The small Thrush thought for a moment, then closed his eyes and smiled.
He felt a stirring in his heart, and the light of joy came back to his eyes as he looked up at his mother.
"I love you".
"And I you", she replied.
He felt the soft tingle of new beginnings on his cheek,
the brush of new life against each wing,
and a cloak of warmth wrap around him that would never leave...
accompanying him to and fro wherever he traveled.
He only had to remember that it was there.
Timber, we will always remember.
And let this day, May 8th, stand as your day of remembrance.
A time when we set aside moments to reflect on all the joys we shared.
I salute you!
Kinney
Prez.
*************************
CAPTAIN DUNCAN
It is with great sorrow that today we must say goodbye to a true friend and companion
that brought a little light shining into our lives now and then...
our Buffet Buccaneer, Captain Duncan.
When I think of Dunky I don't see words. I see music.
Music so lyrical, notes so pure as to make one weep tears
at the beauty of hearing life's resonance.
A song that fills the heart to capacity
and then when it can hold no more,
overflows with a symphony of joy.
Words represent meaning,
but Music... ah, Music...
fills and nourishes the soul like nothing else can.
At times, Duncan was a bombastic orchestra...
cymbals crashing, trumpets blazing...
the Conductor of his own Carnegie Hall playing "Ode to A Bread Maker"...
full of the excitement each new moment could bring and shouting out for more!
More! More!
He could cut loose like an Irish Jig...
comical, whimsical, fantastical...
each step sure, but never quite sure where it would lead him,
yet curious to get there all the same.
A drummer who walked to a different beat,
but always enjoying the journey and the staccato in each stride.
But most importantly, for those he loved and for those that loved him,
he was no less than "Sunshine on My Shoulder".
Duncan's world beamed with delight as the soft, lilting sonata of his affections
brushed against a willing cheek and drew from it all the peace and comfort
that he knew was the song of contentment that each of us sings
when we are truly cared for and truly adored.
Go with peace, friend.
Go with the harmony of our voices lifting you up so high
that the sound trickles through your feathers in a minuet,
and raises you to bathe in the singing of angels.
In loving rememberence, we mark this day, March 17th,
as a time to sing the song you taught us so well.
We salute you, Captain!
Kinney
Prez.
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RECRUIT HAPPY
It is with great sorrow, that we must say goodbye once again to a fellow Commando.
Today, we pay tribute to Recruit Happy.
We honor him on this day with thoughts of fondness and farewell,
camaraderie and companionship,
triumphs, and yes...many tears.
There are those of us in this world who stand up and holler, "I'm here!".
There are those of us in this world who fade into the background and whisper, "I'm not here".
And there are those of us who look outside themselves to others beyond and say, "You're here with me".
Happy was a fellow who knew that kind of subtle meaning of friendship and of giving.
He was there to comfort, console, and sit contentedly beside someone...
offer a wing and a prayer...
share both the burdens and the bonanzas of life.
And he did it without asking very much for himself, and he did it without being asked.
Just his being there seemed enough to make everything all right.
Just his being there and you knew someone cared.
We often pay attention to those that jump out at us with the vigor of life
because they excite us and drive us on.
We often seek out with sympathy those that withdraw and try to draw them forward.
But we sometimes miss the opportunity to simply sit next to those
who are content with the way things are and share a moment together.
Happy, when the time comes that we meet again,
it will be with great honor should you choose to sit next to me and share some time together.
Your face will turn to mine, and you will show me the meaning of contentment in each moment.
Your words will be ones of comfort and companionship,
fondness and friendship,
and will be the words I have longed to hear once more...
"You are here with me".
Until that day, we will all carry your memory in our hearts.
And when the pain has eased and the tears have dried,
we will smile each time we think of how much you brought to our lives,
and how precious time spent with you was.
We will think, not of opportunities missed,
but how many times we enjoyed the opportunities we had.
Go with peace, friend.
Forever forward we will set aside March 1st as a day of rememberance for you
and for the joy you brought to your mom, family and friends.
We salute you!
Kinney
Prez.
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CAPTAIN AMERIKO (RIKO)
Today, it is with great sorrow that our Commando flag flies at half mast
for the passing of Captain Ameriko, (Riko), aka "Spitfire".
With heads bowed, we pay repects to one of our most loyal,
and one of our most courageous...
a Compatriot like no other.
As we lift our eyes to this flag that Spitfire so dearly loved,
we are reminded of the meaning of what a Patriot truly is,
and why Riko often fought so valiantly to protect what was rightfully his...
the things he believed in...
home and hearth of course,
but independence and freedom most of all.
He understood the necessary chain of command,
but never followed blindly against his convictions.
He was committed to the cause, his family, his friends,
but also to a greater sense of purpose than merely following in the footsteps of others...
his footsteps were always his own.
As we lift our eyes to this flag that Spitfire so dearly loved,
we are reminded of the meaning of Spirit,
and what it takes to summon all strengths when, on days such as today,
the tears overtake us and our hopes and our dreams seem so very far away.
Yet, as we lift our faces skyward, and brush the tears and the hopelessness from our eyes,
we see that this flag will never submit to being half of what it could be...
half of what it was meant to be.
It reaches for the very top, and regains its rightful place in all its glory.
It unfurls to its full extent, and brazenly admonishes the wind, "Let's do this!".
Its colours brighten... shine... no, gleem...
with so much pride that we are awed by its presence.
It dares us to forget what we are, who we are, and what is right.
We shall never forget you, Captain.
We will summon our strengths, as you always have done.
We will protect our freedom and our independence as you have always taught.
We will go forward with pride, for your memory shall guide us.
And someday, we will stand and salute you on the other side.
We will not give in to the sorrow of this day,
but will pay tribute each year on the day of your namesake:
July 4th. Independence Day.
Give 'em hell, Spitfire!
Kinney
Prez.
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RECRUIT PIPSQUEAK
It is with great sadness, regret and tears
that I must inform you of the loss of one of our own...
a Commando, a friend, and a loyal comrade...
Recruit Pipsqueak.
There are times in this life when we wake up to find
the sun that shone so brightly the day before
is now covered in dark clouds.
We wonder what made the difference between yesterday and today...
what we may have missed, what we might have done wrong,
what we forgot to say or what we might have said to change the light to shadows.
But also in this life we are reminded that each day is a new beginning.
It may be different than the days that preceded it and it may feel
like we have lost the warming rays to be replaced by the cold chill of rain in our hearts.
Yet we know that very often it is the darkest of days
that allow us to appreciate the times before and the times yet to come...
when the sun will shine once more.
Recruit Pipsqueak was our ray of sunshine and our hope for the future.
Today we awakened to find a cloud of darkness on our souls
as his light on this earth was extinguished.
Did we miss anything?
Did we do wrong?
Did we forget to say a word or regret a word we said to make this so?
Or is this a new beginning for Pipsqueak?
A future that we may not be a part of today or tomorrow,
but one that has been asked of our friend...
one that he knew, in a wisdom far beyond his years,
was his true purpose?
I choose to believe that Pipsqueak was not taken from us,
but called away for a special mission all his own.
It is now our duty to appreciate the times we had,
and celebrate the future that is his destiny.
It is time to push the clouds away and let his light shine through once more...
different, but no less brilliant... softer but no less comforting in its warmth.
And his days with us never to be forgotten.
Go with pride, Recruit Pipsqueak, and go with our love.
From this day forward, let today, July 2nd, be a day of remembrance
for the time you spent with us.
Know that we are grateful for those moments,
and wish you a new beginning, a new journey,
lit only by the glory of the sun.
I salute you!
Kinney
Prez.
*************************
CAPTAIN DILLY PICKLE
It is with great sadness and so very many tears that I announce
the passing of our dear friend and comrade,
Captain Dilly Pickle.
There are just some things in this world that I as a parrotlet will never understand.
Why flowers lose their brilliance one day and fall to the earth, petal by petal.
Why a bird that sings every morning with the awakening sun suddenly sings no more.
Why a friend is with us for so long and then one day leaves us without a chance to say goodbye.
Today I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to Dilly. Tomorrow will be so much lonelier,
so much more empty without her.
But then I realize how much emptier my life would have been if she and I had never met.
If we had not shared the joy and the laughter... the adventures...
her secrets whispered in my ear and my secrets whispered in return.
How hollow so many of my days would have been without knowing that Dilly was out there somewhere
teaching little ones how to paint eggs, challenging their creativity and challenging mine as well.
How much we all would have missed if Dilly was not among us fighting pirates,
chasing tennis balls, or simply sharing a meal and a pint of rum.
Dilly Pickle was unique... one of a kind... and it is up to us to keep her memory alive
with thoughts of how she so dearly touched every one of our hearts.
Had I not know her, had I not ever heard her song nor seen her brilliance,
I would be a far lesser bird than I am today.
She will be missed by all of us... by Powder, and by her Mom, Rebecca... and of this I speak the truth.
But one day she will greet each one of us in a place of meeting, hand us an egg and some crayons,
(and if we're lucky, a shot of Jamaican Spice), tell us of her adventures, and show us the way home.
Until that day has come to pass we set aside this day, February 5th,
as a time to spend remembering all that Dilly gave,
and how much she meant to our lives... our hearts.
Shalom, Dilly Pickle... Shalom.
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT TROUBLE
With heartache and regret I must announce the loss of Recruit Trouble, a fine Commando.
Today, as my eyes wandered to the slow chill of Winter descend upon the warmth of our world,
I watched one single leaf fall gently, gracefully to the ground.
It had hung on for days so valiantly... through buffeting winds,
through chilling rains, through icy morning fingers of frost...
and I so hoped that it would stay...
I so hoped that it would find a way to resist the long sleep of Winter
to brighten the moments of darkness that I knew were coming.
I wanted it to be there with me for comfort, for the color it brought to my every waking hour,
to the hope that held in my heart that Summer's warmth would never end.
But somehow I knew this could not be... could not last forever...
because one day, every leaf must fall gently, gracefully to the ground to begin a new journey.
Recruit Trouble, today you have started this journey.
Your every moment in this life was lived in the Commando Way.
Brave and true to yourself, you never compromised a single moment.
You demanded, commanded, gave freely of your love,
and loved in return as passionately as that new leaf that unfurls with joyous glee
toward the light of the Spring sun.
You knew your friends immediately, and gave them your loyalty.
You knew your enemies as well, and gave them your
beak.
You helped when you felt like it, hindered when it suited you...
but always stole the show no matter how
cute the competition.
And your very closest companion named you well...
Trouble... for all it's worth...
and it was always worth so very, very much.
Today, November 19th, we shall mark well as your day of remembrance.
We will celebrate the warmth that
you symbolized,
the freshness of your character, the brilliance of your life...
and wish that your gentle,
graceful meeting of the Earth today
will bring you nothing but everlasting peace.
I salute you!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT JAMES
It is with great sadness that I announce the recent passing and loss of a fine Commando...
Recruit James.
Sometimes, in our hurried daily lives, we often do not take the time to appreciate
the soft green of a new leaf as it unfolds. We do not remark when its color changes to the darker
hue of summer. We do not stop to admire the gentle brilliance of yellows
and reds and golds as the leaf matures. We only recognize a sense of loss,
and of opportunities that passed us by, when that leaf has fallen, laying on the ground near our feet.
To some of our Commandos, like James, who have given their lives in the honorable
and eloquent duty of making more parrotlets to rule the world,
we sometimes forget to see past the role assigned,
and look closely at the individual for what he or she was made.
We forget to stop for a moment and truly appreciate the kind of bird it takes to fulfill
a destiny that many of us would not wish to labor for.
And we lose the opportunity to get to know a true hero before winter comes.
With this, I feel that it is my honor and my duty to "introduce" you to Recruit James,
a true Commando in every sense of the word.
James was destined for great things, and as such, was wed to his mate Ginny from an early age.
He was the shy, retiring type, but like any Recruit, he was all parrotlet...
preferring to swing to his heart's content and run amok of his cage rather than bother with silly Hoomans.
Although he and Ginny did not have a chance to raise Commandos,
he accepted and adored his bride never-the-less, and she him.
Together, they decorated their castle with bits of food, knowing that, some day,
their offspring would do the same.
James also received medals for his participation in our Atlantis mission,
as well as our mission to Wimbledon. He had a brave heart, and a Commando soul.
James, we wish our time together had been longer;
that those opportunities to know you were still here
so that we could begin again;
that you didn't have to leave so soon.
Our hearts go out to those that did know you, and those that did love you very much.
May October 12th stand as your day of remembrance
when we can stop for a moment and honor your memory.
I salute you, Recruit James!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
CORPORAL "KERMIT" RODNEY
It is with much sorrow and great sadness that I must announce
the passing of our fellow Commando,
Corporal "Kermit" Rodney.
Rodney was a fellow student and graduate of our Commando Juvenile Training Institute,
a Protector of Bunnyaes, a true friend to his comrades, and a special little guy to his Mom.
There are never words that can portray the loss one feels when one of our own
is here one moment and gone the next. It is always sudden, and it always hurts...
especially when we think of how we will miss Rodney by our sides and the times
we will no longer share together. So we turn to the times we had,
and the moments we were graced with... those glimpses of wonder,
the feelings of love and friendship,
the seconds of laughter when time stopped and all that surrounded us was joy.
We hold those moments against our hearts. We never let them go. And we remember.
I know that if Rodney were still here... still with us... that he would dry our tears,
reassure us that everything was going to be all right, and tell us a joke to make us smile.
He was that kind of guy. A loyal friend. A true Commando.
When we meet again, Rodney, it will be an honor.
Before then, I promise, we will carry your memory with us,
so that you may stand by our sides...
never forgotten, and always in our hearts.
Let today, October 18th, be our day to rejoice in the memory of our Corporal Rodney as each year passes. And may "Kermit" be forever etched in each soul when a bunny passes by.
I salute you, Corporal Rodney!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
ADMIRAL OF THE UNIVERSE and VEEP, PEPI
Pepi?
Are you out there?
Can you feel my words? Can you hear what I am about to say?
I KNOW you can, so LISTEN UP, Land Admiral,
'cause I can only say this once...
I can only say this
now.
I never thought I'd have to say it,
never thought
the day would come,
but here it is...
Today.
Today you will sit at the right hand of God and tell
Him to loosen up a little...
tell Him to take a
vacation, because you're gonna handle things for a
while...
tell Him that P'lets can and do rule, and that
your gonna make some changes.
He'll listen to you.
Today, you will sit with Buddha and tell him all your
best jokes and watch him laugh.
You will introduce
him to the joys of wearing Speedos that are too tight
and much too red,
and his belly will overflow with
glee and Spandex.
You will debate the meaning of
life, and decide that, above all,
being Nekkid has
it's advantages,
because you can always tell when a
Nekkid being is truly happy
by the dimples on the
cheeks.
Today, you will sit with Mohammed and tell him that
you've never read the Koran,
but if he gives you a
copy, you'll chew on it for a little while.
You'll
tell him that strawberries are much better fermented,
and that he needs to loosen up AND get Nekkid.
Today you will sit with Shiva, and ask for
scritches...
because what are all those arms for
anyway, if not to pet a little head?
You will demand
that P'lets be given the same sacred status as cows
and elephants,
and you will drink to the meaning of
inner peace from many gentle hands
that hold an
abundance of shot glasses just for you to choose from.
Today, you grace the steps of the Bridge,
light the
skys of Heaven to brilliance,
fly the peaks of
Valhalla that will echo your song,
find Peace and
Tranquility,
and watch over each one of us so that our
hearts will heal,
and our tears cease to flow.
You have Journeyed on, Friend,
and as our Troops seek
you out one by one,
you will lead on.
Today, there are no words like "never forget" or
"always remember",
because you have given of yourself
in little ways to so many,
that we all carry a part of
you in this world.
I look forward to the day when we meet again, Land
Admiral.
And I cherish the time we had together.
Let Today stand Officially as "Hunka Hunka Pepi Day".
Each year, on August 4th, we will raise our
shot glasses,
don our Speedos,
and celebrate your life
with love and laughter.
I bow my head to you, Sir.
Kinney
Prez
*************************
CORPORAL ROBIN
It is with deep, deep sorrow and tears that birds can't cry... but do...
that I write this memorial to Corporal Robin.
Today my dear Robin joined our Troops at the Rainbow Bridge,
and it is with sadness that I write the following words.
Robin was a true hero... a gentle giant that walked among us when our feet were on the ground,
and flew by our side when we took to wing.
He didn't always have a lot to say, but what he did say was measured and true from the heart.
He was always kind with his words, even when his heart was hurting.
He was always brave, even when he was hurting.
He was always strong, even when the past hurt him.
Is there a truer definition of bravery... of heroism...
than my Robin portrayed through every day of his life?
I have yet to find it.
And yet, I know that for all the hurt, there was also love.
So much love for a soul that deserved every single kiss, every single smile,
every single bit of joy and laughter.
It was there especially for him from a human who loved him...
a human who saw his true worth, his true nature,
and allowed him to be everything he was meant to be in this world.
It was unconditional, and never more deserved than by Robin.
His last years were surrounded by love, by family, by home. It is all we can ever ask for.
In the time that comes after one day, I know that each of us will be greeted at the Bridge
by a gentle giant, who will lead us by wing to the adventures beyond.
A brave and true soul embarking on a new journey.
A quiet leader who will guide us and help us over.
A friend who will care for us unconditionally. Someone I loved.
Someone I still love, and will love every day of my life.
I'll miss you, Robin, with my heart and my soul. We all will.
Let today, August 5th, stand in Memory of Corporal Robin from this day forward.
A true Commando. A true Friend.
I salute you, Robin!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT KIMO
It is with great sadness and many tears that I announce the passing of one of our heroes, Recruit Kimo.
Sometimes a Recruit is asked to fulfill a special destiny...
one of much secrecy, but one of much importance...
to choose a family that will cherish him, and that he will cherish in return.
Kimo was one such Comrade.
It was Kimo's wish that he spend his life in the company of his Mom, Pat, and his Dad, and a very special friend, Kapa. And this he did, bringing joy to every waking moment of his clan, and receiving the warmth of unconditional acceptance and wonder that can only be described as love.
It was also Kimo's wish, should the time come one day when his mission had been completed, that he be envisioned, not with sadness and grief, but with memories of happiness...
the softness of feather, like the petal of a fragrant flower lightly brushing one's face...
a rhythmic song that sweeps one away to the place of your dreams...
a burst of laughter as a tropical sun exploding into a new day...
the soothing moments that envelop you like a gentle Pacific breeze...
eyes that pool with understanding and life, as the depths of the seas...
love that has warmed you in the sands of time.
Ke mau nei keia mau mea, Ka mana'o'i'o, ka mana'olana,
A me ke aloha o ke Akua, Ke aloha na'e ka i 'oi.
"These things still abide, Faith and hope and the love
that is of God: and of these... LOVE is the greatest."
We will miss you, friend.
Let the day of May 23rd stand as your day of remembrance for all time.
I salute you!
Kinney
Prez.
*************************
RECRUIT BEAU
It is with much sadness and heartache that I announce the passing of Recruit Beau today.
In our daily lives, our trials and our tribulations, we often forget where we come from...
what sacrifices it took to get us here in the first place...
how much we owe to those that go about their duties silently but with determination and grace...
those that are our original mothers and fathers...
those that brought us into the world and lovingly cared for us in our first days.
Recruit Beau was a father to many, including our own Leta.
It was very rare that he could partake in our missions and our fun, for he had a job to do...
a duty and a calling that few would want to fulfill.
Yet he steadfastly fulfilled his calling many times over,
and in doing so brought more of us into the world to be loved and cherished.
What more honorable mission is there?
Now it has come to pass that a father may rest.
That a father can put aside duty, honor and self-sacrifice, and simply be Beau.
And it is our turn to honor, our turn to carry the burden of his loss in our memories,
our turn to never forget with all the determination we share.
Rest in peace, Beau, and in your memory, this day... May 7th...
will be a day to remember and more importantly,
a day never to forget a Father that we loved.
I salute you!
Kinney
Prez.
*************************
RECRUIT PICCHU
It breaks my heart to announce the loss of our sweet friend, Recruit Picchu.
A love, too briefly known, has passed.
Picchu: A rare and lovely flower who struggled valiantly to hold root in dry and rocky soil.
Unnoticed so long, you kept to yourself.... quiet.... still....
venturing forward a bit only in the stillness of dusk.
On the first day of your life came one who noticed your quiet beauty, your battered heart.
Afraid, you were brought to your forever home where for the first time it rained,
washing the dust from your beautiful feathers.
The sun shone down on you and you began to blossom,
your beauty and spirit unfolding in the magnificent colors you were meant to wear.
You began to sing and your heart began to heal.
And you knew love.
Picchu: Graceful and exotic being who struggled to hold onto love
while your body fought to shed the effects of your early years.
Timid but brave, you placed your faith in she who loved you so much.
You tried so hard to hold your ground.
If it could have been done, my friend, you and your mom could have done it together.
Picchu: A promise unrealized. We knew you for such a short time.
But by listening carefully we could hear what you tried to tell us:
That wherever there is life there is hope;
that wherever there is love there is a chance;
that we must all listen carefully to learn that the secret to truly living is but to care enough.
Picchu, your mission was a hard one but your spirit was strong.
Your perseverance was such that you finally knew the warmth of a loving touch,
the whisper of a voice that gave you comfort,
and the love that recognized when it was time to release you.
Fly high, sweet little bird.
And know that your tiny life made a huge difference to all who loved you.
Let this day, March 17th, always serve to remind us of the love lessons
taught us by our darling comrade, Picchu.
You were loved more than you knew.
Doodlebug
Your friend
*************************
RECRUIT NOAH
It is with deep, deep sadness that I must announce the passing of our beloved Recruit Noah.
If a parrotlet could shed tears, dear friend, rivers would run for you.
There has never been, nor ever will there be, a braver heart that existed as far back as I have known.
There has never been a truer heart of self-sacrifice that I could ever hope to emulate.
There has never been a heart of love that I have felt so deeply.
There has never been, nor ever will there be, another like you.
Noah, your fight was valiant... your light radiant...
and through it all, your gentle eyes told of hardships,
of will, and yet always of love.
You had so much love to give, and damn the illness that stood in your way.
Damn the injustice, the sympathy, the pain...
for every single moment was a precious reminder
that there was a chance for kindness,
for warmth, for compassion and for joy.
Were we to remember this in each of our daily lives... were we to follow in your stead...
the world would shine with laughter, love and grace.
Was this your purpose, my friend? To teach us that it is the very moment of now that matters?
That the future and the past are beyond our control?
That we only have this very second to give of ourselves, and in doing so, there are never regrets?
Noah, I know you have no regrets, for you gave of yourself in every second you could.
So go in peace, knowing that your message will never be forgotten.
Go in peace, knowing that your struggle will never be forgotten.
Go in peace, knowing that your memory will never be forgotten.
Go in peace, my friend.
This day, February 14th, will ever stand in memory of our precious comrade, Noah.
In peace I salute you, Noah!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT PRINCESS EMERALDA RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with deep regret that I must relate the news
of the passing of a Comrade yet again...
Recruit Princess Emeralda.
Princess, when we first met you, we knew deep in our hearts that you were precious...
a rare treasure that comes along once in a lifetime, that is held and cherished,
that sparkles with a light so fantastic that we are drawn to it every second of every day,
again and again, in wonder.
Was it the light of youth that captured your essence?
Or was it very simply that you shone so brightly in so many ways?
Was it that we knew somehow that a jewel is always borrowed for a time but never truly owned...
never taken, but given only to those who will care for it in ways that very few can?
And what becomes of the jewel when it leaves those hands?
What becomes of the gleaming soul of a gem when it is time to go?
Well, Princess, it never really does leave.
It only changes to something we can no longer hold in our hands,
to something we can always hold in our hearts.
It blends with the lights of our own souls to stay and nourish us when we need it.
It stays to remind us of what we gained in life...
what we would have missed had we not taken a chance...
of meeting, of caring, and of loving.
This day, January 27th, will stand, Princess Emeralda,
in memory of your brilliance, of your precious gift to us all.
I salute you, Princess!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT JAKE RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
Once again, it is with deep regret and a sadness of the heart
that I must announce the passing of one of our own.
Recruit Jake is now being welcomed by so many before him at the gates of the Bridge this day,
where he will be cared for, cherished and loved for an eternity.
For those of us left behind, we must rejoice in his memory,
even though the days be darker and the nights longer without his presence....
even though our eyes and our hearts are clouded with tears of sorrow....
even though our lives were richer with him than without him.
In time and with remembrance we will put aside our tears and mend our hearts
because we realize that it is what Jake would have wanted for each of us....
not the sorrow nor melancholy of passing, but the celebration of a life lived to its fullest
with valiance, with exuberance, with joy.
Jake lived each day, no holds barred, no song unsung...
nothing but the fullest in each moment,
and he did so with guts and gusto. Jake held nothing back.
Everything he did was with determination, willfulness and glee.
Who could not but be touched....be renewed....by such an emphatic love of life?
And we were.
Thank you, Jake, for allowing us this time spend with you.
In allowing us to learn how to love and how to live with no regrets.
In showing us that if one is going to take the time to wiggleneck,
one should wiggleneck for all they're worth!
Thank you, Jake....for being you.
On this day, December 29th, we will remember you, Jake.
And in each corner of the globe on that day each year we will gleefully wiggleneck along with you
as a salute to your life and to you.
I salute you now, Recruit Jake. You were one of a kind!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
CORPORAL SKY RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with sorrow that one of our youngest recruits, Corporal Sky,
flew to the
Rainbow Bridge after a lengthy illness.
Sky, we hardly got to know you.
We will miss all the times that we should have had together...
all
the "firsts" that you won't be there for.
We will miss watching you grow,
as the first light of morning
blossoms from a soft, subtle ray,
to the glory and brightness of mid-
afternoon, through to calming hues of evening.
We will always regret that you no longer stand beside us,
sharing
warmth and wonder,
and all the adventures a new day brings.
But most of all, we will miss knowing who you might have been,
who
you were meant to be.
Like a breath of wind that stirs the soul, you
were there for only a brief moment in time...
to touch our
hearts...too soon to leave.
Yet, in another place you shall reign.
A place where night never comes to fade your brilliance,
nor darken
your spirit.
A place of love and laughter where suffering is forced
to retreat
like a storm that can no longer deny the sun.
A place
where there are others who will meet you,
guide you, and remain by
your side...
companions to share your light and watch you grow.
A
home like no other.
On this day, October 9th, of each year, we will remember you Sky,
and
pay tribute to your life, your bravery, and your memory.
But every
day, we will be reminded of how special our times together were
when
warmth sits next to us, and the wind whispers in our ear.
Corporal Sky, I salute you!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT DESTINO RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with great regret that I bow my head to another of our fallen Comrades
... a hero whose life was all about bravery ...
Recruit Destino.
Destino lived the life of a Commando from the day he went to live with his new family
and his sister, Commando Tinkerbell. She taught our 'Tino much about Hoomans
and the ways of being a parrotlet who rules.
But it was 'Tino himself who had his own battles to fight,
and he did so with the utmost of honour and dignity.
In so many ways we wish that Destino could have stayed here with us to fight our mock battles,
to take over the world with us, to share in the triumphs.
But he had a higher calling and a much harder task than any of us could ever imagine
... fighting the failings of his own physical presence,
imagining a world without illness or discomfort,
willing his body to heal itself or set his spirit free.
And now his spirit is free.
Free to soar above the house that was once his home where he shared love and tender care.
Free to outfly the best of the best.
Free to enjoy each moment, and having to fight for none.
Free to be who he truly is, a brave soul who has conquered.
Let September 7th live long in our memory,
and let us remember that day each year with the fondest of moments for our Destino.
May you rest now, and may you find peace.
Destino, I salute you!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
CORPORAL ACES RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
Today there is a deep sorrow that binds us together,
that makes the very air we breathe a little heavier,
a little sadder,
a little more empty.
For today our numbers have lessened by one,
and our Aces has gone to join so many others at the steps of the Rainbow Bridge.
They say the brightest light burns fastest. But that's not true. The brightest light illuminates whatever it touches for eternity. It sears its way into hearts, it gently whispers around the edges of the mind,
it gladdens the dark corners of the soul. It never extinguishes from our memory,
because it has gleamed a path to joy and shown us the way to laughter.
Aces is that bright light for us all.
Aces' bravery lay in the road less traveled...in the uniqueness of everything he did.
Where so many of us listen only to the songs of our flock, Aces stepped away and sang with abandon
to the music he composed, with words only he knew.
He chose to love what so many of us shun...the sweeter fruits of life.
He chose to see the advantages of the bigger picture...the container rather than the contents.
He chose to be fearless and embrace that which we cannot understand,
for he had no trembling against the cold, mechanical, alien world we sometimes find ourselves in.
No, these things he conquered and claimed as his own.
The time has come for Aces to follow his courage once again, to make
peace with the unknown
as only he knows how....by shining brightly.
This day, June 26th, forever more shall be a time to reflect in each
one of our minds
what Aces meant to us...all that we shared and all
that we miss...
until the day comes when a gleaming beacon of light
touches us with its warmth and says, "Follow".
Aces, I salute you!
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT YODA RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
Today is a day of much sadness among our flock of Commandos,
for we have lost a fine friend and one of our own....
Recruit Yoda.
I remember the day that Yoda came to be among us and with us.
He proclaimed as well as claimed a high status on that day, being the Jedi Knight that he was.
Somehow we knew this to be true...a nature of silent steadfastness, and a wisdom beyond his years,
shrouded by a simple mystique that often kept him from being with us, yet always with us.
Yoda had a mission that was as important as any Commando mission,
and that was to transform one Human Being's life.
To teach patience, compassion and love.
To show one being that another may be different in so many ways,
yet somehow the same when it came to the important things...that there truly is a Force,
and that we are all connected to it, no matter how large or how small.
And yes, Yoda did succeed in that mission..oh so gloriously.
Now, his quest fulfilled, Yoda must leave us. It is the Jedi way.
But know that although the wisest of us all slip quietly away, they always remain with us in spirit,
in memory...never failing to return when we need them most...to support us and to love us.
We feel their presence and are comforted.
We remember what they taught us and we are comforted.
We remember the joys and we are comforted.
It is always the hardest of lessons to hearn, but somehow we do.
This day, June 16th, shall be set aside in memory and remembrance of our Recruit Yoda
for years to come. Yoda, I wish we had longer, but I understand that some day we shall meet again.
When that day comes, I hope you will be there to guide me.
I salute you, friend.
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
RECRUIT BRATLEY RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with deep regret and much sorrow that I bow my head with tears for our Bratley.
Bratley, you are, and always will be, the finest the Commandos have
to offer.
Your nickname said it all..."Bratty Bird"...
what more
could we have asked of you?
And yet, you gave us more each
day...
more laughs, more bravery,
more reminders that Parrotlets
Rule!
You shared each triumph with us.
You shared your utter
domination of the people who loved you,
(who else had a Hatchday cake
all to himself?).
You were an Officer in the making, and a fine
Comrade to all.
One day, when our hearts have mended, we will look upon this date
with fondness and good memories of our friendship together...
how and
why our lives intertwined.
Therefore, let today, May 11 stand with
us in perpetuity
as a day to remind us of how much you meant to all
the hearts that you touched.
Today, there is a great heaviness that weighs the soul...
to know that
we will not see you, nor hear your voice in a long while.
But until
we meet again, dear friend,
we each will carry with us a bit of
the "Bratty"
to honor and cherish the moments we spent together.
I salute you, Bratley!
Your mission has just begun.
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
MAJOR MARIAH RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
With profound regret we mourn the loss of
our good friend and Commando, Major Mariah.
Some days are hard, very hard.
Some days take from us the best...
the
ones that we look up to the most...
the ones that are our closest
friends, our leaders, our treasures.
Today was such a day.
Our Major Mariah...
our "Riah"...
our "yeller
girlie"
passed to the Rainbow Bridge.
Mariah was one of our most highly decorated officers, having almost
every medal awarded,
every honor bestowed, because she was always
there...with us and for us....among us every step of the way.
From the very beginning, Recruit Mariah was something special.
She
helped us define what we were, always Commandos to the core, and she
never faultered.
Every Mission she was at our side in her soft-
spoken way...always with encouragement...always with grace.
We
watched as she blossomed, quietly leading us with a touch of her
wing, a kind word,
a certain way about her that made her a true
leader.
As she ascended the ranks, as she was adorned with medals, as
she was adored by us all,
we knew that Mariah wasn't just one of us,
she WAS us...what we all aspired to some day be.
Today, April 7th shall be set aside in perpetuity as a day of
Rememberance,
a day of Honor for Major Mariah...a Comrade, a
Commando, but most of all, a dear, dear friend.
Mariah, today was hard, very hard. We have lost a part of our spirit
as we have lost you,
and it is difficult to understand
why...except...in our heart of hearts we do know why....
You were the Best!
I salute you, Major Mariah...your Mission has just begun.
Kinney
Prezident
*************************
The day you laid me down to sleep
you prayed to the Lord my soul to keep.
I know you had to send me on my way
but you sent me to a new, better, and much brighter day.
You sent me home to heaven above
where I'm cradled in God's arms, covered with His love.
I understand what you did, you did out of love
and I'll return that love from my new home above.
My sickness is gone and I'm free here to roam.
I fly and play in the meadows, here in my new home.
We play here by the Bridge from morning to night.
There is no rain here, just warm sunlight.
I know you all miss me, I miss you all too
but I'll always be with you, whatever you do.
Please wipe the tears from your weeping eyes
by remembering the good times from days gone by.
When you look out into the dark of night
I'll be that bright star, your guiding light.
We'll meet again at the Bridge one day
when we'll walk in the light, together to stay.
Author Unknown
RECRUIT BIJOU RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
With deepest sorrow I address the loss of
our good friend and Commando, Recruit Bijou.
Bijou, words cannot express how devastated we Commandos feel
at your sudden passing to the bridge.
We watched you grow from a young recruit
to a fine young gentleman that had the makings of an officer one day.
Through spring's promise to summer's bloom,
to the deepened hues of fall we watched you grow.
Then came winter and the snow that delighted you so much.
Then suddenly, there you were in all your glory,
no longer growing and being molded into what you would become,
but simply... quietly... Being.
Now your last Commando Mission and the ultimate honor has made its calling upon you.
As the brave comrade you are, you have answered.
For being chosen and for taking heed, you are awarded the greatest award of all......
the Commando Medal of Honor.
This day shall be yours, February 2nd, so that we may always remember the sacrifice you made for us.
Wear it well, our friend, as a special reminder
that one day, each of us will join you as surely as spring returns.
Farewell, Recruit Bijou. I salute you!
Kinney
Prezident
LIEUTENANT CRICKET RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with great sadness and many tears that I must announce
the
passing of our beloved Lieutenant Cricket....Commando and Friend.
Cricket, you have been an inspiration to us all in so many ways...
a
special gal who came into this world with physical differences to
contend with, in need of a loving home.
Your strength and
perserverance found you that home, with those that adored you
...and you
found happiness, care, and comfort in this place.
As a Commando, your skills and special talents escalated you to one of
our most decorated Lieutenants,
with many medals, special recon
assignments, and devious deceptions....
you were aptly named "The Decoy".
Now you are in a new place, a new home...
and there is not one of us who
doubts that you will excel in every way in this special place.
For those of us who remain, rest assured that your memory will be with
us forever,
and that we will never forget.
In honor of Lieutenant Cricket, I would like each of us to observe a
minute of silence,
and know that December 22nd will remain, forever and
always, a day of remembrance for our Comrade.
I salute you Cricket! You were one of a kind.
Prezident Kinney
RECRUIT TEE LA RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with a heavy heart and much sorrow that I must announce the loss
of our beloved TeeLa...
a comrade, a Commando.
Recruit TeeLa was much loved by her Hooman family.
There will be
many tears and much heartache at her sudden departure from this earth.
But TeeLa's spirit will live on in each and every one of our
memories...
for she was that kind of gal...
full of love, full of life.
TeeLa reminds us all to live each day as it blossoms,
each moment touched
by a ray of sunshine,
each second as a quenching drop of dew.
I proclaim today, November 24th, a day of rememberance for our dear
Commando TeeLa,
so that we shall never forget the joy she brought in
her lifetime.
I salute you TeeLa, and I look forward to the day when we will meet
again.
Kinney
Prezident
CORPORAL PETIE RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with a heavy heart that I say these words; express these thoughts.
For today, our beloved ToothPick Maker...
commando and friend, Petie...
passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
ToothPick Maker was a brave comrade and a member of the Land Team.
He participated in our missions with valor and an ingenuity far beyond his years.
When not on missions, ToothPick Maker hosted the best parties, bar none.
Petie's hospitality and friendship to all shone like a beacon for each and every one of us.
It is with great, great sadness that I ask you all to participate in a moment of silence for ToothPick Maker.
As Prezident, I mark today, September the 11th, an official day of remembrance for our fellow commando,
- Corporal Petie -
a day to celebrate his life and the wonderful moments we shared.
Goodbye, ToothPick Maker. We salute you.
Prezident Kinney
RECRUIT POLLY RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
With profound regret we honor today
the passing of yet another loyal friend and comrade.
Let us each spend a moment of silence
as a salute to our fellow commando, Recruit Polly.
Polly was a shining example of courage in the face of adversity,
strength in times of sadness,
and the joy to be found in living every day.
She taught us all by example and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Today, July 24th, will hereafter be recognized as a day of remembrance of Polly - our friend; our sister.
Polly, until that time when we are all again united, we will hold you dear in our hearts and forever in our minds.
We salute you!
Prezident Kinney
CORPORAL GHERKIN RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
It is with a saddened, heavy heart that I announce
the sudden passing
of another friend and Commando.
Gherkin will be remembered by all of us
for his immense charm and tenacity...
his loyalty to the cause...his loyalty to
friends.
I ask that each one of us perch for a moment of silence and salute
our comrade, Corporal Gherkin.
In recognition of his courage, and in memory of his life, Corporal
Gherkin will receive the Medal of Honor, and July 15th will stand as
his day of remembrance for as long as we remain Parrotlets United.
We will miss you Gherkin, in many, many ways. Your mission here has
ended, and a new one has begun...one that we cannot share, but we can
imagine.
We salute you!
Prezident Kinney
Recruit Maximus Receives Medal of Honor
It is with great sadness that I announce the parting of another of
our Commando Comrades.
Maximus Desimus Meridius was only with us for a short time, but during
that time, we all felt a presence larger than mere size, a strength
of character that would one day blossom into bravery.
Today is that day. As President, I would like to share with you one moment of silence for our Max
and announce that June 27th shall be marked as his memorial for as long as we remain Parrotlets United.
Max will receive the Commando Medal of Honor for his last act of bravery.
We Salute you Maximus!
Kinney
Prez
Corp. Moki Receives Medal of Honor
TO OUR FALLEN COMRADE
Corporal
Moki died in a fire today, April 16, 2004.
He was a very good commando and loved
life and helping hoomans get over their problems.
Moki was a therapy bird
with the Women in Crisis Center.
He is loved by many and will live on
forever in our hearts.
We Salute you Moki!
"CORPORAL MOKI"
In honor of our friend and
pilot extraordinaire, Moki,
I would like
to suggest that we, The Kahootz Klub, observe a two-minute silence
and mark
this day, April 16th, as Moki's Remembrance Day for as long as we remain
Parrotlets United.
As President, I also officially announce that Corporal Moki is awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery today
and for just being one damn decent guy.
Elmo...we are
sorry for the loss of your son. I bow my head to you.
Kinney
Prez.
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