"Of the Nation's Army"

He may look rough and tumble but Thayer of Neptune, NJ, has a heart of gold. He's benevolent to all, helps where he can and prays when he has to. And like the rarity of his first name, he's, quite possibly, the nicest guy I've ever met.

The name Thayer in Latin literally means "Of the Nation's Army" and so it's no surprise that he should fit in so well at military bases. He and Producer Chris introduced me to dozens of military acronyms at Aberdeen this week, expanding my insight into military life.

Aberdeen is a Proving Ground Army base in Maryland that began construction on a new $477-million complex for C4ISR - Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. The 1.5 million square feet facility near the Chesapeake Bay will be the future of high-tech.

Currently the C4ISR organization is located at Fort Monmouth. But that's where BRAC - Base Realignment and Closure comes in. It will relocate hundreds from Ft. Monmouth in New Jersey to Aberdeen as the facility nears completion. And that's why PilotGirl was in Aberdeen and Ft. Monmouth this week, to videotape dozens of interviews with spokespeople trumping the move and the facility as necessary for maintaining the nations security.

Aberdeen Proving Grounds (the oldest in the country) needs a new facility to remedy its antiquated 1917 patina. It opened six months after the United States entered World War I designing and testing ordnance material. Despite being in beautiful Harford County, our tour of the present campus was tired and gray.

But then Thayer brought out the sunshine with his winning attitude and quirky humor. Thanks Thayer - grabbing a door, lifting a tripod and dropping to give us 50 pushups when we jokingly demanded it, earned you another badge.