As a Navy wife of twenty-plus years, I have been to my share of ceremonies. Today I went to the retirement ceremony of a Navy Chief in my husband’s squadron who had served for 20 years with a stint in Fallujah. But his time in Iraq is not the point of this story.
Near the end of a retirement ceremony, certificates and rewards are read. Typically, the audience claps right after each award is read. And that was the case today, except when we got to the reading of the Retirement Certificate.
The MC read the certificate:
“‘I extend to you my personal thanks and sincere appreciation of our nation for your honorable service. You helped to maintain the security of the United States of America with a devotion to duty that is in keeping with the proud tradition of our Armed Forces.
I honor your service and respect the commitment and loyalty you displayed over the years.
Pretty standard, but then he got to the bottom of the certificate:
“My best wishes to you for happiness and success in the future.’
Signed by President Barack Obama.”
…..crickets……
awkward silence
…clap….clap….finally applause.
You could cut that 5-10 second pause with a knife.
Note to self: If my husband retires while Obama is in office, get his Retirement Certificate signed by a former president.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
I am thankful mine was signed by...
Wubbies World (Diary) Friday, September 25th at 10:37PM EST (link)our previous president. I also have a ticket stub I got when I was able to attend one of his speeches tucked into my flag box.
I am thankful now.
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subtle disdain? I am shocked they didn't BOO....
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Saturday, September 26th at 9:41AM EST (link)When you have an appeaser as the leader of your military it must make your job ever so much more disgusting. I believe they must miss President Bush greatly as that man loved the military and the United States of America!
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It's a sad comment on our leadership.
redneck_hippie (Diary) Saturday, September 26th at 10:29AM EST (link)The incident was caused by nothing other than the actions of one man and that man is our president.
It's a fine line to walk.
Uma Richie (Diary) Saturday, September 26th at 11:58AM EST (link)How do we let America know that Obama is killing our morale without letting our external enemies know the same? Putting on my brave face feels dishonest. Venting my concerns feels disloyal.
Keep telling yourself
Steph C (Diary) Saturday, September 26th at 12:08PM EST (link)It will get better. Find comfort in the little things the Commander in Chief can’t touch because in spite of that fact that he is, he’s so far removed from the daily life of the military that he can’t touch them.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
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Very true...
jlynnr (Diary) Saturday, September 26th at 1:43PM EST (link)My Lt. Commander husband agrees Steph C
Thanks Steph and jlr.
Uma Richie (Diary) Saturday, September 26th at 2:11PM EST (link)I hope you’re right.
I have been a Navy wife for most of my adult life.
Danielle Davis (ocleverone) (Diary) Sunday, September 27th at 2:00AM EST (link)What you cling to is that our husbands are honorable men. That they have sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, not the Office of The Presidency. That they understand the terms courage, honor, commitment and they lead their troop with those qualities and push through.
I think the country is aware of the plight and I think our enemies are aware of our strengths and abilities to overcome that plight.
Sometimes, the brave face is all we have. Hang tough Uma. This isn’t the first CinC that was clueless about the military and I am sure it won’t be our last.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
True dat oclev
Warrior (Diary) Monday, September 28th at 10:46AM EST (link)I spent much of my service under Jimma Cata, but at least he commanded a nuclear sub.
I often wonder how he became so inept and clueless after such rigorous service….
“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma
Military rules...
GregInFla (Diary) Sunday, September 27th at 1:02AM EST (link)It must be terrible that you can only express your political views by not expressing yourself. But at least by not expressing your opinions, you are passively expressing an opinion.
– A true evolutionist would let endangered species die off. Think about it.
– The sign outside the courthouse said no signs allowed. So I took it down.
– Atlas Shrugged is now on the non-fiction aisle at Amazon.
When I retired
Deskpilot (Diary) Monday, September 28th at 6:02AM EST (link)on 9/11/03, I looked back at what the previous 730 days had been like, and how differently things could have turned out had John F(REA) Kerry been elected president.
On a deep reflection prior to that great morning,I inventoried history:
Carter was President most of my high school years – he hated the military.
Reagan came along and the nations mood quickly swung, the economy wasn’t too far behind. He believed in the strength and greatness of America and her military. GHWB pretty much followed suit, but had his weakensses in other areas.
Clinton USED the military as a great social experiment. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is still growing like a mold in the hearts and minds of our forces. Although quite capable in the role that they play, some women at sea on combatant vessels are still a distraction.
GWB, having served in the TNG as a pilot, knew the great, intrinsic value in a strong, cohesive military. He always spoke highly of us as a whole, and never tarnished our effort. The individual bad apples were always held accountable. They were not allowed to spread the rot.
(06:05 – More later – the morning witching hour has arrived)
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can still read it in English, You’re Welcome
Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)
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Deskpilot, when I served aboard ship
Warrior (Diary) Monday, September 28th at 10:53AM EST (link)women were not allowed onboard. That came along soon after I was (honorably) discharged.
I was a 2nd class po on a ‘gator freighter out of Little Creek. I can tell you it was hard enough getting a bunch of 18-year-olds to pay attention to what they were doing without getting anyone hurt.
I can’t imagine trying to do it with a bunch of women walking around. Sounds way dangerous to me…
“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma
Kind of like the Presidential Marine Guard
Warrior (Diary) Monday, September 28th at 10:59AM EST (link)not turning to face Clinton when he came off helicopters, walked out of doors and such. I don’t know if they could still get away with it,
Combat wounded paying their own medical care?
Alaskan Territorial Guard deprived of pensions?
“Excuse my predecessor for his unilateralism”?
… but Obeyme is certainly deserving of some kind of military snub…
“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma