Friends
If you follow yesterday's conversation about the aircraft carrier deployment, you will see a post at the bottom by a guy named Robert E. Lee. Folks, please indulge me a moment as I introduce him to you.
You see, back in 1987, then Staff Sergeant Lee recruited a young smart alleck beret wearing security forces guy to possibly become an active duty historian. Having been an historian himself for awhile, Bob tried to scare me away from the job, but when that didn't work I guess he figured I deserved it. He became my teacher, and in time, my friend.
Here's a story that will speak volumes about this gentleman. For a short time we shared the office with a lieutenant colonel who had been selected for promotion to full bird colonel. One morning, the three of us were in the office working, and listening to NPR on the little radio on Bob's desk. They were doing a story about the Air Force officer promotion system and it wasn't very flattering. One anonymous interviewer in the report said, "You have to sell your soul to make colonel in the Air Force." Bob looked at our new colonel selectee, and I knew what was about to happen. While I looked for room to crawl under the desk, Bob asked, "Is that true, sir?" Without looking up, the colonel said, "You can believe about half of what you're hearing." Bob immediately shot back, "Does that mean you only sold half your soul?" There was no answer from the colonel, and I braced for the rocket's red glare right there in the office.
But there's more. Bob would never shy from puncturing the ego of the brass when needed, but he never failed to stand straight up out of his chair when a young lieutenant or a kid with one or two stripes walked through the door. He treated them like they were generals, and why shouldn't he? They do all the work!
Bob retired before 9/11 with some pretty significant disabilities as a result of his service. And yet when the planes flew into the towers, he was the first to pick up the phone and volunteer to return to active duty. There is no doubt in my mind that he would suit up and go back in today if called. Whether the Air Force would be ready for another dose of him is another matter entirely.
He is a patriot a gifted writer, a phenomenal thinker, a truly great American, and as the photo shows, I am proud to say that he is my best friend. It was an honor to serve with him, and Ricochet is better with readers and members like him. I'm happy to have him with us.
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Comments :
Re: Friends
I agree, Dave, we are lucky to have him with us. Thanks for the story. It's rare good fortune to find a friend and -- even rarer, a colleague -- who treats all others equally, regardless of "rank." I'd be curious to know where and when the photo was taken. And, are those pins on your hats? What do they signify? Finally, how does he respond to the inevitable question about his name? Is he a Southerner? I won't ask about your tattoo ... yet.
Re: Friends
Ursula, to answer your questions; the photo was taken at a truck stop near Bob's home in Tennessee, a couple of years ago I believe. My daughter was on the road with me, and we stopped by Bob's neck of the woods for lunch with him and his son. Those are indeed pins on our hats. They're miniatures of our military medals, though I think Bob has some emblems from various units he was assigned to stuck on his hat as well. Bob is a southerner, though I tease him that the Mason Dixon Line actually runs along I-40 as far as I'm concerned, making him a yankee. To my surprise, I've emerged from that observation unscathed. As for how he responds to questions about his name, he responds like a true gentleman, with grace and wit. It's a great name for an historian.
May '10
Re: Friends
He's got an SEC team to root for, at least, if not a good one. ;) Roll Tide!
Jun '10
Re: Friends
Thanks for the kind words Dave. You've always been a gentleman and a scholar.
Indeed Ursula, I have all sorts of things on my hat, from medals to commemoratives to badges, rank insignia and major commands I've been assigned to. I'm looking for a bigger hat to put even more on (I'm trying to get pins for the six numbered air forces I've been assigned to. *grin*
I think of myself more as a “brat” than a southerner, having grown up in the south pacific as much as in the south eastern US. That said, I'm proud of my southern heritage. I'm the III or the IV Robert E. Lee in the family, depending on how you count 'em.
Sep '10
Re: Friends
I know this is an old thread so won't feel slighted if these questions aren't answered. I ask them purely out of curiosity and without any suggestion that the two of you are breaking the rules. Doesn't each branch of the service have regulations as to when and in what manner military medals -- including miniatures -- may be displayed, and do these rules countenance wearing medals out of uniform, or at least out of formal dress (I know medals are sometimes worn with evening dress)? Do these rules apply to retired service members?
Re: Friends
Gold Tooth, yes, there are a few rules even for retirees. Because the uniform changes over time, if we do wear the uniform we are given a choice between wearing the uniform approved at the time of retirement, or the uniform currently approved. Either way, if in uniform, we must meet all standards of military appearance. Regarding medals, they can be worn on hats, vests, shirts, etc. They aren't confined to uniforms alone. My favorite change in the rules for vets? We can now render a proper military salute when the National Anthem is played. After all these years it still sends a chill.