the best

  Here it is July the fourth, the day we celebrate our Independence from Great Britain. Just a few weeks back we were celebrating Junetenth, the first year that was an official holiday. I did receive some negative feedback on that expose. For some folks the truth is offensive and shouldn't be told. But whatever the case, we will celebrate today, this date having been designated for that very purpose.

 I am reminded of a time when I was in the Navy. I want to say it was 1975 or so, I don't recall the year. I was stationed in Mayport Florida. A British ship was making a port call at that time. The name of the ship escapes me at the moment but it was an aircraft carrier. I went to visit the ship and see how the British sailors lived and worked. I remember being amazed that the ship had a Pub. Then I was told that every sailor gets two draft beers a day. Pretty cool I thought. Anyway I left my name and address on a list posted for those British sailors inviting them to come to my home as a gesture of good will. Two sailors did show up at my door on the fourth of July! 

 After introductions were made, I decided on having a barbecue. Those boys agreed and only after a while did I realize they had no idea what a barbecue was. There were fascinated when I lit that charcoal. Now, we were drinking a few beers while waiting for the coals to get ready and talking about everyday things. They told me about their homes and were curious about mine. At that time I was renting a trailer, in a trailer park just outside the base. Acceptable housing for the situation. although a bit below the standard I would have liked. Still these Brits thought it was quite lavish! I had a refrigerator, that made ice, and air conditioning! They seemed genuinely impressed with that. 

 After some time the coals were ready and the chicken went on the grill. Those boys had never seen anyone cook anything on a grill before, that's what they said, and I was amazed. So we drank a few more beers, chatting it up while I applied barbecue sauce. I had purchased potato salad, macaroni salad, and chips to go with that. I don't know if it was because of the drinking. or the food itself, but those guys were hungry. They flew into that chicken and soon had barbecue sauce all over their face, like children are prone to do. I could tell they were enjoying it. I asked them, how do you like the chicken? The response is one of those things I'll always remember, and hear in my head. " It's the best bloody chicken I've ever had in me life"  That British accent was somehow even stronger than before. Perhaps the food and drink had relaxed them a bit more. 

 The afternoon wore on and we had a few more beers. I told them we were going to watch fireworks. They were receptive to that idea. So, I told them to hop in the back of my pick up truck. That, it turned out, was the first time they had ever done that. We headed to the beach to get a good view. I backed the truck up on the sand so we could sit in the bed and on the tailgate. Lots of other people were there of course and soon the party was going on all along the beach. Those British guys sure could drink some beer I'll give them that. The fireworks began and the people were cheering. The traditional oohs and ahhs. Then one of those guys asks, what are we celebrating? Well, I told him, it's the fourth of July. He answers yes, but what are we celebrating? So I told him, Independence from you! This is the day we Americans gained our Independence by beating you guys! They both laughed and said now they remembered now. The bloody colonials that revolted against the King! We compared notes on that history. They did say it was taught to them a bit differently than the story I told them. And that about wraps up what I remember about that day. They returned to their ship and back to their world and lives. I don't remember their names or anything much about them. I feel like they were entertained. I like to think they had tales to tell their folks back home. Barbecue chicken was something they both said they had never eaten. I wonder if they ever had it again. Or did it remain.  "The best bloody chicken I've ever had in me life" Wonder if they ever had chili?