Dinner with Jim Nedland

One of the reasons I wanted to come out this way was to visit my buddy Jim Nedland. Jim and I were stationed together in Hawaii in the late '80s and did a Westpac float together in 1989 on the USS Belleau Wood. I got out in 1990, but Jim stayed in the Marine Corps, was promoted as far as Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9, the highest enlisted rank) and is actually retiring next week after 24 years of active duty.

I got back in touch with Jim last year through a Marine Corps website, and since he's stationed at Quantico Marine Base, decided to invite myself to dinner at his house. Rachel and I drove down Monday night, met Jim's son Sinjin, had an excellent barbecued ribs, curried chicken and rice dinner (Jim's wife Yao is a native of Thailand), and Jim and I talked and reminisced for 4 hours. It was really good to see him and hear about all the things he's done (he's had a great and interesting career, including 4 years in Thailand and several months in Iraq), and his new civilian job as an analyst for Marine Corps intelligence.

Here's a picture of Jim and I:




He'll probably have a chance to grow his hair out after his retirement.

Fair winds and following seas, my friend.