Reflections on Concrete Bob... Welcome Back, Marine!

As many of you know, the milblog and mil-supporter worlds recently were shaken with news that one of our own took a mighty hard hit. Concrete Bob, one of the nicest, funniest, and pure-hearted people I ever have encountered, got socked with a heart attack that landed him under the knife for a quintuple bypass surgery. A lot of us have spent the past week or so both praying for Bob's recovery, and sending snarky notes designed to make him smile.

Turns out, he's the one who made us all smile. Bob has been rebuilt and is better than ever. He's back home and raising his usual ruckus. I called him yesterday, expecting his dear wife or devoted daughter to answer the phone and pass on my good wishes. Instead, Bob himself picked up on the first ring, sounding as perky as ever. He chatted on and on about the troops, the troops, the troops: keeping them strong; helping the wounded; joining a barbecue cook-off benefit (yeah, Leta; he thinks he can win!) And oh, yeah; some matchmaking scheme involving one of his nurses and an unnamed single milblogger.

I'm not going to get into what caused the heart attack, other than to say you probably shouldn't eat peanut butter with frosting and chicken wings before going to bed. In fact, our trim and energetic Bob apparently was not your typical heart patient. I can only conclude that, since everything happens for a reason, the wheels have been placed in motion. Bob has important work ahead.

Meanwhile, to Concrete Bob, a direct message: Welcome back, Marine! We missed you something awful!