Hi Buddy!

Today being a day during which we remember those who gave service to us and our country, I think it is an appropriate time to mention our friend Butch.  Butch joined his fellow servicemen in Arlington National Cemetery last month, and will be honored today with all who are laid to rest there.

Although he had a “real” name, he was just… Butch to all who knew him.  We became acquainted through a mutual friend, and all you had to do was meet him once, and he was your friend.  An impish little smile and twinkle in his eye made him your buddy instantly.  He shared a love of history, and helped MFO at the Historical Society with computer “stuff”.   His service in the Navy also revolved around computer “stuff”, particularly in the area of security.

We never knew exactly what he did during his time in the Navy, but it seemed to involve things like dark rooms deep within the White House, being on foreign soil, and aboard ships.  Only occasionally would you get a story about some Russian Official in Moscow who had a fondness for a particular single malt Scotch, and in exchange for a bottle from Butch (fluent in Russian), “information” might have been passed.  I’m sure there are stories we will now never hear.  Right up until he was unable, he would make almost weekly trips to the White House.  Didn’t ask, didn’t tell.  To coin a familiar phrase, there were layers of that onion we will never peel back.

It is never the right time to say a final goodbye to a dear friend, and of course we wish his time  with us could have been extended, there were so many meals to enjoy, drinks to share

and especially those gatherings in the kitchen, a place he particularly enjoyed and took pleasure in cooking us a meal.  But we were ever so much better for the time we did have to share, and he will always be with us, I can just hear him say  “Hey Buddy”…

thanks for sharing time with us and your country.. we’re all better off for your presence

Rest proudly.