So, we are very pleased to award Mr. Aaron Capen, 14, the fine distinction of being this month’s honorary monkey. In his own words, “I am applying for honorary monkey because, well, monkey see, monkey do. My uncle is Jeremy Hurley, the first honorary monkey, and I think it would mean a lot to him to be a monkey’s uncle. Being myself, I love to climb things, especially at construction sites. My life wouldn’t be complete without becoming an honorary monkey.”

Besides the great photo of Aaron in his natural habitat amongst the trees, what sealed the deal was the closer on his email, “*SAFRAN FOR PRESIDENT*”

We are happy to have made Aaron’s life more complete. On this day, Aaron, we salute you!

From left to right: Alberto, Brunie, Eldora and Paz aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on February 26, 2003

USS Abraham Lincoln – Adam, just thought that I’d drop a quick note and let you know what the monkey’s have been up to since their arrival. Brunei, Alberto and Eldora with Paz all arrived on board the Nimitz Class aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) in early February 2003. When they arrived, the ship was underway in the Persian Gulf supporting Operation Southern Watch, patrolling the No-Fly Zones in Northern and Southern Iraq. While they were all very anxious to get to work and integrate with the 5,500 Sailors who make up the crew of this ship, they first needed to talk to myself, their new boss.

Alberto adjusting to life at 0600 hours.

I met them when they got off the C-2 Greyhound, Carrier On board Delivery, or COD for short, aircraft. Their first thing was to receive a quick tour of the spaces that would be most important to new arrivals. After learning where they could get something to eat, sleep and bath they all went to the division’s office. When they arrived, I made sure that they each sent an email to their families, letting the folks back home know that they arrived safely and were learning their way around. After contacting the families, I gave them a tour of their work space. Here you can see all four new Sailors reporting to my office for initial briefings.

Brunie examines the power cables.

All four Sailors have been assigned to the External Communications Division where they are responsible for the maintenance on various systems used to communicate. Some of the systems use satellite technology and enable us to send and receive email, make phone calls while out to sea, receive orders from our Commander in Chief, President Bush.

Alberto didn’t seem really happy to learn that reveille would be at 0600 everyday. But he seems to be adjusting just fine. Alberto has also learned the joy of a fresh cup of coffee first thing in the morning. In fact, Alberto just isn’t himself in the morning until he has his first cup of coffee. He drinks it like all real Navy men, hot and black.

Eldora and Paz.

Brunei was a little too anxious to get to work, and nearly got stuck checking power cables running through the overhead. He shows great promise and is always willing to lend a hand or foot as the case may be to help out the other members of the division.

Eldora and Paz tend to keep to themselves, although Paz will occasionally explore the office by himself. Here you can see him examining the inner workings of a stapler. He is very inquisitive and as long as he stays away from anything that is overly dangerous, we let him explore to his heart’s content.

Paz gets to work.

We have recently found out that another group of Sailors are expected to arrive from the SIMI Project. We hope that they arrive within the next couple of weeks. Once they arrive, we will do everything we can to ensure their safety and make sure we all return home soon.

Mike the Monkey
I should be an honorary monkey because I like to spend the day monkeying around, climbing, and making screechy noises. I often have the odd compulsion to climb trees but then I remember the time I climbed the wrong tree and got my foot stuck so then I whimper and run away. Copying people is also a strong point of mine…monkey see—monkey do!

Also, my favorite fruity snacks in the whole world are bananas. I can eat bananas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all the time in between. I love it when I scream long enough that they feed me banana bread, banana pudding, banana ice cream, and my personal favorite…banana and peanut butter sandwiches.

Courtney Ashton (left) and Kristin Bradley
we two monkeys like to monkey around! we love bananas, do you love bananas?…we love all kinds of Bananas! Sometimes if I’m really nice, I’ll pick out the bugs in my sister head. If I get lucky, she will do it back to me. she even scratches my butt when it’s hard to reach.

We feel we should let the whole world know that we’re two silly monkeys. So we ask, please, let us be honorable monkeys, we want to be just like “damonkey” (May’s honorable monkey, Dean Scully)… “We love Bananas!”

Dean Scully
I should be an honorary monkey because I AM A MONKEY!

Since youth I have had the nickname Monkeyboy because of my wild, spastic antics. I am hairy like a monkey. I love to pick things out of my friends hair (which I might add can be quite appetizing!). I have been known to let out the occasional loud screech for no apparent reason (which my friends claim is quiet annoying.. aren’t all monkeys!!). I even have the email address damonkey@mindspring.com. I have always wanted a pet monkey of my own… but being an honorary monkey would do for now.

So, to Jeremy, we salute your “monkeyness.” Congratulations on becoming 100 Monkeys and the SIMI Project’s first honorary monkey!