MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Jack Reed had never met Patrick Grogan until today. Grogan had just had a snake painted on his face and so did Reed, but it wasn’t until they bumped into each other inside the giraffe “jumpie” that they really became friends.
“Jack is the coolest best friend that I have met all day,” said Grogan, a third grader at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School.
The face painting and jumpie action was a part of the fun to be had at the Boys and Girls Club Day held on the parade deck in front on Building 1 on Sept. 19.
Some children made beaded bracelets as others waited anxiously in line for balloon animals. The games, music and food were for the children’s taking, and as for the parents, they were mere escorts.
“After I am done with doing some jumping tricks, I am thinking about getting another snake painted on my face,” said Grogan. “I already have a black snake, so I think I will get a green snake on the other side or maybe I will get a spider. I haven’t decided yet.”
Grogan is extremely forward and more than willing to make friends and so is Reed.
“Watch me do a trick Patrick,” shouted Reed as he did a back flip.
Grogan quickly demonstrated his freakish ability to master a perfect crab walk.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Reed was a little impressed by Grogan’s ability to mimic the sea creature but little did Grogan know that Reed had an even better trick, the “Super Kick.”
The “Super Kick” involved Reed jumping extra high in the air as he kicked his left foot forward so forcefully that it would make a Karate Kid cry.
Once Reed and Grogan finished jumping in the jumpie they quickly exited and put on their shoes.
What were they going to do next?
Definitely going to get their faces painted, but was it going to be a snake or a spider?
The ultimate decision could wait because, hold up, Grogan just found out that Reed has the same teacher he used to have.
“Oh, my gosh. That is the same teacher I think I had in the 2nd grade,” said Grogan.
“Really?” said Reed. “That is so cool. Maybe we know some of the same people.”
Grogan responded, “I don’t know. Maybe. Have you seen any of your best friends today?”
“Oh, yeah!” replies Reed. “I’ve seen like 40 of my best friends if I include you.”
The conversation between Reed and Grogan continues, and it ends with a final decision for the face paint. It is definitely going to be a green snake because, OMG, green snakes are so cool.
“It is really important to have events like this because it creates an opportunity for children to meet along with parents,” explained Diane Rasmussen, a mother of two, who after meeting Reed and Grogan’s parents, learned that all their sons are in Boy Scouts together.
Who knows if Reed and Grogan’s friendship will last past the day’s end, but does it really matter?
They got their sugar fix, they bounced their hearts out and they met each other.
“So are we friends now?” asked Reed.
“Yes,” replies Grogan. “You have been my friend since I first met you.”
20 minutes and counting.