OK...first time getting to post to the Unwrapping section!!! I have to say I am thrilled to see the amount who participated and simply amazed at seeing all the gifts sent and received!! What a great idea!! Thanks!!!
Well, I arrived home to box in my spot on the table (the usual postal drop off by the better half) ;D So trying to play it off and not be too excited, I struck up a conversation with the wife, which I new would keep me from frantically ripping the box open to see what my Santa had sent!!
I appologize for all the pics, but it's just the way I seem to do things!! :
The Box:
I have to admit, Christmas for me has always been a sort of two-edged sword. I tend toward having the wife let any of the family that will be giving to give money as I can use it to get what I like....not what they think I will like! Brian, you nailed it!!
Upon opening the box was a large envelope addressed to me from Dept. of the Navy Commander....which kind of threw me for a moment.
Looking very official, I read through the letter....still a bit confused I read it and then bewildered, I turned my attention to the box to make sense of it all.
Pulling aside the paper inside, to my wandering eye should appear, was a large plaque.
On the plaque is the coat of arms of the USS Maryland SSBN 738 Ballistic Missile Submarine...My generous Santa's Submarine that he served on defending our country!! Below the crest a name plate....
What an amazing touch that was added to the plaque to personalize it!!
Still thrown a bit, I dug a bit deeper. Odd, it felt like material, the kind used in clothing.... well it was.
I have to say my jaw dropped and I got that funny feeling we all got as a kid as we opened our presents on Christmas morn. This is an official set of coveralls that would be used on the USS Maryland and if we go back to the Official letter, it states that all these items spent time on the boat whilst she was on strategic deterrent patrol!! (yeah got goose bumps the first time I read it too!!) This is just way to cool!!
Of course I needed to muster on, deeper into the box and after pulling all the paper out....there it was

The kit:
Yup...DML's USS Maryland in all her glory!! A 2 in 1 kit she comes with a second model, that of the LA Class USS Chicago!!! WOW!!
Of course things need to fall out of the box as they do and of course I take my time sniffing all the new plastic!!
I am happy and proud to say thank you to T-badger for his most generous of gifts!! I want to also thank him for his service to our country and it is truly an honor Sir, to see my name on the coveralls above the boats patch , the plaque and article of authenticity!! Thank you very much for the kit as well!! Some builds mean more than others and this is no less than that. Trust me, I will be consulting you as to the accuracy ....well almost accuracy of this vessel....as we all know we don't want to upset NCIS (lol... I remember our conversation from way back!! ;D )
Thanks you again...Merry Christmas to you and yours Brian and the Merriest of Christmases to the entire HERD!!