Bill Gilbert and LTC Wellington

British Army Staff Sergeant Bill Gilbert was a quiet, thorough, and very likeable guy. He was also quite competent and had a way of telling you that you were a complete idiot (which we often were) in such a nice way that you thanked him for it. He arrived in May and left with all the Brits on June 28, 2003. What’s notable is that his wife avidly maintains email contact with us, explaining that Bill’s not very good at those type of things. So when we all get together online, it’s Bill’s wife that we’re talking to. He has three kids. Dave Mulhatten is friend at home as well as in the Army. When he comes over for a visit, his kids are constantly asking him what Dave is saying. He doesn’t know. When he talks and then laughs, they all laugh, etc.

Lt. Colonel Wellington. British Army. Of Norman extraction (just ask – no, you don’t have to, he’ll tell you). Leader of the four man British contingent and our Operations Officer while he was there. The best, most engaging briefer I’ve ever seen in action. He would brief the assembled NGO community three times a week and the hall was packed. He had them eating out of his hand with a mix of humor and using NGO folks in his briefs. Has never been to the US. Has been to Canada. We suspect he’s still pissed off about the whole “revolution thing”. Constantly referred to the British as our “elder brothers”. Watched Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot” with us and declared it a pretty decent movie that had a sad ending. Amazingly well connected and was able to pull together information from all sources at a highly prodigious rate. I used to attend his briefings not only for the entertainment value, but I learned something every time. Very generous. He wrote a letter of commendation for me with regards to my performance without my ever asking for it. Didn’t have to do it. He is a professor at Sandhurst Military Academy in England (their West Point), is a published author, and still stays in touch. We’re trying to get him to the States some day, but it’ll be an uphill battle.

(NOTE: I’m on vacation next week. See you again around July 12.)