Re: Greatness is as greatness was
Dad rediscovered his enthusiasm for military culture in 1979. By 1985, he was lobbying for Purple Heart veterans in Sacramento and DC. Ahead of one DC trip, he casually mentioned that he planned to drop in to the Pentagon and visit with the Commandant of the Marine Corps. I snorted derisively (silently, to myself). Sure enough, a month later I got a letter and photo from Dad and there he was with General P. X. Kelly in what looked like an office a Commandant would occupy.
I asked him how he managed it. He said the General's aide was initially dismissive. Dad told him:"tell the Commandant that a Marine Corps Raider wants to pay his respects." Dad said that he got an hour with the General on the spot. I am inclined to believe that he wasn't exaggerating.
Our old man was one of nature's alpha males in his day. It makes his current state all the harder for his four children to grok.
I asked him how he managed it. He said the General's aide was initially dismissive. Dad told him:"tell the Commandant that a Marine Corps Raider wants to pay his respects." Dad said that he got an hour with the General on the spot. I am inclined to believe that he wasn't exaggerating.
Our old man was one of nature's alpha males in his day. It makes his current state all the harder for his four children to grok.
