Sunray Meets Yappy

Hi Everybody,

I was just browsing the Sargeants Mess and noticed there is absolutely NOTHING posted here about the big Winnipeg Milestone Event:

Sept. 22, 2004
SUNRAY MEETS YAPPY
in person

In a nutshell, the very first ever meeting was a very emotional event for both of us. It was a mind-boggling surprize to see him arrive and climb out of a WHITE STRETCH LIMO ... my chin hit the driveway! You had to be there ... I was standing in the driveway ofmy bunker with my FRYING PAN!

I couldn't believe that AFTER just over a year and a half of conversing about very major, meaningful, and emotional things regards my Uncle's fate, and oh so many other things, that the man himself, who attended the Normandy 60th Anniversary ceremonies, and actually visited my Uncle on my behalf, delivered a memorium ... and helped me so much (and continues to do so) ... well...

after all this time this man,
Mr. Geoff Winnington-Ball,
person extrordinaire and Grand Master of MLU ....
stood before me in person. It was a very moving and emotional meeting indeed. Incredible experience. The hugs were wonderful and heartfelt. The time spent together was great.

AND ... I've been BLITZED .... He brought me a special gift ... a copy of "Year Of The Blitz" ... which we watched together. So wonderful to see some people in the film of some people I've talked to in MLU, and even by phone (namely Geoff and Keefy) I'll treasure this gift Geoff ...and Keith I love it ... and you all should get a copy if ya don't already have one!

I also am now the proud owner of aa RED ENSIGN (that right???) FLAG and a DECAL from MLU Grand Master hisself.

OH ... and guess what???????? He brought his frying pan ... and left it behind ... guess I'll just have to go to London to rturn it!

Bottom line ... the time getting to know each other and yapping was great and nobody got hit with any frying pans.

I hope in due course that I'll be able to meet other MLU-ers in person too. This place, MLU. I've become very attached and close to MANY of you in here. After all this time ... I've come to know some personal details of many of your lives, we've all gone through changes and experiences...
and there is a very personal warmth runs through all the threads of history, information sharing, personal stories, humour up the yinyang, losses and grief ... growth .... well ... we're a great community.

Geoff ... thank you for making this meeting happen. I was honoured and delighted, enjoyed it, and hope the next visit will be me in London so you can drag me around to meet some other MLU-ers.

I especially wanna meet Marko and Denise ... Jon and who else lives close by?

and how far away is "Who loves me baby ART JOHNSON ... " (when he and Catherine aren't in Florida that is)

Anyways Master Sunray ... it was my pleasure to make your acquaintance thanks.

Karmen