An Informal Toast

It’s been 9 months since Game On moved from the pit to the strip. The old 1762 Crowd has migrated to the place where all the survivors seem to gravitate, Poppy J’s New Game On, on Merrick Rd in Valley Stream. A lot is alleged to have happened in the past year at Mr E’s 1762, drug raids, dope sales and use in the bar, (stench of weed so thick you get a contact high walking in the door), date rapes, sexual intimidation and harassment of bartenders (fuck the boss for a shot at a good shift or work).

Since 1762 is no longer the place where the regulars from the neighborhood go, Game On has become the landing zone where good plain All American drinkers can congregate, relax, meet, greet and eat in a good atmosphere and a nicely appointed neighborhood bar and grill. Poppy J has a reliable set of bar tenders including Krizz’ee, Dot’tee, Reeta, and Yaega Lee. Poppy J has been working like a dog to make the place everything we expect and more.

One Monday afternoon I stopped in after a UFO conference with some of the brethren at the Landing Zone in upstate N.Y. I saw a bunch of faces I hadn’t seen in at least a year. Dorn, the old Army Airborne Soldier was there with Choe, Slim and RR (Mr. Freeze Unit). “Jarhead, you having the toast to Veterans this year” barked RR. Dorn chimed in, “Yeah, what about that, that was something special, is it gonna happen RJ?” I said, “ I talked to Poppy J, it’s up to him. I can’t do this without him or you guys helping out.”

(Some background here – Jack, owner of the old “Corner Tavern” let us have the first Informal Toast to the United States Marines back in 2007) I let the guys know what’s up, “I need help with food, transportation (no drunks driving home) and if Poppy J says OK, I need to know you’ll be there for the event.” I got a cursory OK from Dorn, the rest got quiet. Right then Poppy J walks in and greets all of the old crowd and Yaega’s dregulars. After me and Poppy had a long talk, I knew this was going to happen.

Poppy J became a citizen after years of study, hard work and love for all this country is. I talked to some of the Old Boy Vets that I knew after I met with Poppy. There is a ships bell we delivered to Poppy J for Game On along with a plaque from the Veterans of Combat and Foreign Service. Poppy was very moved by that gesture and had CB mount the bell and the plaque. Yaega constantly prodded Poppy about the bell, the event and the pool table until the bell was mounted. (Yaega is a Marine Brat, her Dad fought in WWII and Korea).

So it’s On! What’s the toast about, well it goes like this: 1) Be there Veterans Day, it goes from 6pm to Midnight. 2) From 8pm to 9pm were going to have several toasts that go in order 3) the order is a toast to 4) the United States Of America and the President Of The United States (out of respect for the office – no political commentary or disrespect), 5) Toast to Active Duty Service Members Worldwide, 6) Toasts To Veterans of All Services, 7) Toast To the United States Marine Corps and 8) Observing the POW/MIA’s.

This informal toast to the Marine Corps is also an acknowledgement of all Veterans and their service. I was asked by a few persons on a few occasions why ‘Marines’ what makes them so special? I made it plain, “before there was a United States there was a United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps birthday is on the 10th of November, Veterans Day (observed after WWI) is the following day 11 November. Marines have always been first to fight.”

One individual had the nerve to say, “It’s all about you isn’t it, all about your glorious corps of Marines isn’t it?” I looked into the old brat’s face and said, “Not about me at all, but about those who went and didn’t come back!” I didn’t have time to give a history lesson at the moment so I promised to post a video about the Corps advertising the toast. I made two videos I hope you have a longer attention span than the individual I spoke to with A.D.D.

Call the Bar and let the bartender know your attending so Poppy has enough food for everybody. OK! After seeing the video below check this out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPmkx7InqbU It ain't boring.



RJ