Everyday E-mails

Dad: Meg, yes, Paul has one. Since he is a Water/Land Attack Penguin (WLAP), he has been given the call sign "Stub Marine." This is operationally shortened to "Stub," but he is typically not addressed as Stub to his face as this involves the person speaking to him to lay on their belly and that puts them in range of his major weapon, regurgitated herring snack!

Oct. 15, 2006

Meg: Hello Dad-No sightings of Paul the ... We are all concerned here. There has been some rough weather with the first rains of the season. We originally believed the rain may speed up his progress as it fits his profile as being partially aquatic plus the rain has brought a significant temperature to drop. Unfortunately, the result of rain here is quicksand like mud and we are now concerned he might be literally STUCK somewhere as his legs are not very long. We are on the look out! Love Meg

Dad: Meg, good point and that may be the cause, but I was trying to ascertain his flight plan. He was muttering something about Fish & Chips with a pint of the Stout when he left. Did he fly through England? I was hoping for the polar route over Adak and then on to Diego Garcia and then a quick hop to U Ta Pao prior to final at Bagabog!!

(McClung's father reports that the penguin eventually arrived and was awarded the last-place finished in the marathon.)

McClung, 34, of Coupeville, Wash., was killed on Dec. 6, 2006, in Ramadi, when her Humvee was hit by an IED.

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