Wedding Blog: BD**2 - 22
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:55 am
Sigh of Relief edition
Yesterday, around noon ET, I called the chaplain's office out at Fort Irwin. No one picked up, so left a message with the basics ("FSIL getting married to BD on Aug. 10th, no leave approval yet, someone doesn't believe he's getting married, want to put you in touch with officiant, CALL ME!!"). No call through the day.
Quick aside: FSIL's mother suggested contacting the chaplain first, as the least likely method that would mess with FSIL's future standing and advance in the military. Only if further intervention needed would we start into the actual chain of command.
Got home, eating dinner, cellphone rings. Chaplain, or at least a subordinate chaplain (yes, even chaplains have a hierarchy in the military; maybe it's to prepare them for the heavenly one). Went into more detail, like spelling of name, specifics of his unit, where the problem was, etc. Chaplain said he'd check on the unit (there was a level of division that I did not know about), then see what's up.
Fast forward about 90 minutes. Another cellphone call. Chaplain again. "It's all set, the commander just signed the approval." I made him repeat that, or variations of it, a couple of times to be sure, thanked him profusely, and hung up. GW, who had just gone upstairs and had not heard me, walked by the stairs. I called up to her to tell her. Got a big "YES!!!". She came down to call FSIL's mom, whom we had promised to keep updated, and I went to call BD, on her way to her bachelorette weekend.
Got hold of BD driving along the Mass Pike. Told her that the approval was signed. Wish I could have seen her face, because her voice was brighter and happier than I've heard it in a while. I would guess that her weekend will be as well, without this hanging over her and us.
A bit later, it occurred to us that FSIL may not know about the approval himself yet. No idea if he does even now. Whatever. As long as he does find out.
Local note: GW is off as I write this with HS's girlfriend to get her a dress and shoes for the wedding. Word is that he has given her a promise ring. She told GW. HS has not yet told us himself, so we're keeping it quiet for now.
Yesterday, around noon ET, I called the chaplain's office out at Fort Irwin. No one picked up, so left a message with the basics ("FSIL getting married to BD on Aug. 10th, no leave approval yet, someone doesn't believe he's getting married, want to put you in touch with officiant, CALL ME!!"). No call through the day.
Quick aside: FSIL's mother suggested contacting the chaplain first, as the least likely method that would mess with FSIL's future standing and advance in the military. Only if further intervention needed would we start into the actual chain of command.
Got home, eating dinner, cellphone rings. Chaplain, or at least a subordinate chaplain (yes, even chaplains have a hierarchy in the military; maybe it's to prepare them for the heavenly one). Went into more detail, like spelling of name, specifics of his unit, where the problem was, etc. Chaplain said he'd check on the unit (there was a level of division that I did not know about), then see what's up.
Fast forward about 90 minutes. Another cellphone call. Chaplain again. "It's all set, the commander just signed the approval." I made him repeat that, or variations of it, a couple of times to be sure, thanked him profusely, and hung up. GW, who had just gone upstairs and had not heard me, walked by the stairs. I called up to her to tell her. Got a big "YES!!!". She came down to call FSIL's mom, whom we had promised to keep updated, and I went to call BD, on her way to her bachelorette weekend.
Got hold of BD driving along the Mass Pike. Told her that the approval was signed. Wish I could have seen her face, because her voice was brighter and happier than I've heard it in a while. I would guess that her weekend will be as well, without this hanging over her and us.
A bit later, it occurred to us that FSIL may not know about the approval himself yet. No idea if he does even now. Whatever. As long as he does find out.
Local note: GW is off as I write this with HS's girlfriend to get her a dress and shoes for the wedding. Word is that he has given her a promise ring. She told GW. HS has not yet told us himself, so we're keeping it quiet for now.
