What’s Up in MIDPAC

I love Change of Command ceremonies. It’s full of excitement and hope like a wedding, in that a new ‘family’ is formed. It’s sad like a funeral, because there are tearful goodbyes and lots of thanking people for their support, and a review of the good times shared together. Families and friends fly in from all over, and there are many “so good to see you!”s to temper the “see you later”s. It marks the end of a chapter. It establishes the beginning of a new one. The Marine band plays and there’s cake and parties.

The HSM-37 Change of Command is the first of these ceremonies I’ve been to in Hawaii! Here’s how it was different: LEIS. Anyone who got thanked by name got a lei, and many of them were custom fancy leis. They were made of orchids, pikake, leaves, kukui nuts, shells and flowers I’d never seen before—GORGEOUS. The sailors wore their whites (swoon) and the spouses all looked fab.

I have to say it: the Big Island volcano started erupting the day of the squadron Change of Command. Coincidence?? Is Pele upset that the outgoing skipper is leaving, or excited that the incoming skipper took command? An auspicious beginning…right??