Happy 4th to my American friends

[SLP]

[JohnNYC]

Thanks Neighbor! God Bless (north) America!! ��

[FarOutWestEnder]

Happy 4th to you too! One of these times, our paths will cross at Golden Sunset where I sometimes stay too.

[Bnewb]

We hope all our American friends are enjoying their Day!
Peace & Love to you All!

[Accompong]

Had a particularly wonderful experience yesterday on the 4th of July. An old friend I had not seen in almost 30 years stopped by to say hello. We had first met nearly 48 years ago in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and then subsequently some 20 years later at his home in Jamaica. He was a Jamaican born in Kingston Area but moved to the US as a child. He volunteered for military service almost the same time that I did and our paths crossed for almost a year before we each went to different assignments in different countries. We kept in touch every few years for a time and when I went to Jamaica in 1990, we met again at his father's farm in the Blue Mountains. He was just one of those people who you could not see for years at a time and then pick up again like only a moment had passed. Somehow we lost track of each other after that wonderful time together.

And now, 28 years later he shows up where I work. It turn out that his daughter-in-law is a woman I know from Accompong Town and she mentioned my name in a conversation so on his next trip to Florida, he decided to look me up.

Fireworks can kind of stress me out but there I was last night on the verandah of the oldest continuously operating waterfront restaurant in Florida watching a massive display with my Jamaican buddy by my side. Seemed like a distant memory had been refreshed and even, to a point, relived. He is my most distant connection to so many things.... including Jamaica. Man! I do love Jamaica for so many reasons.

Peace and Guidance

Somehow everything seemed so clear and focu

[rjonsun]

Great story, Accompng. I'm glad you were able to rekindle that friendship.
Regards,
Bob

[JohnNYC]

2 veterans celebrating Independence Day. Very cool!

[halfwaytree]

2 veterans celebrating Independence Day. Very cool!

Even though I am a Jamaican living in Canada I thank you for the service you gave to your country.

Yes, the friendships that are always with you even when there are prolonged periods of absense are truly special and rare.

Given the choice of owning much diamonds and gold or having TRUE friends, I would choose the latter every time!