"Surprise; It's Your Old Friend!" - Time Out #135

As I have gone down life's path, I certainly have learned an absolute truth.

True friendship is golden.

With that proven fact, I have sincerely tried to walk-the-walk regarding maintaining my lifelong friends .

Roll time back years ago during one of our SHS Class of 1965 reunions we hold every 5 years. During the course of that particular long weekend of get-together activities, I heard Col. Roger, one of my true buddies since we were little league sports teammates, was retiring from the prestigious US Marine Corps after 30 years of dedicated service. This colorful event was going to happen half way across the country only 2 weeks after our reunion.

As the reunion crowd dispersed on a Sunday long ago, one of life's important moments captured my thoughts.

I just knew I wanted to see my close friend go through his military retirement ceremony, and feel the excitement that early morning event would create for all in attendance.

I also wanted my presence to be a total surprise to him, known only by my bride, Debbie, that I was going.

I TOTALLY PULLED IT OFF, FOLKS, AND HERE'S HOW.

Since his ceremony was soon, I had to get my office manager to rearrange my schedule, while I was buying the necessary airline round trip ticket from Oklahoma City to Raleigh, North Carolina. I also had to make rental car reservations, since his military installation, Camp Lejune, is over a hour's drive east from Raleigh.. Lastly, I had to make a motel reservation in Camp Lejeune's nearby city, Jacksonville, NC.

My secret plan went off without a hitch.

The departure day arrived, and with my overnight bag packed, I began my mission, headed east toward the Atlantic coast.

All I could think about during my plane ride and short rental car drive was what great memories Col. Roger and I would make the next day.

Tired, both physically and mentally, I fell fast asleep in my motel room, setting my wake-up alarm for 5 a.m. Yes, marines begin their day well before roosters start crowing!

Ring, ring, ring, my alarm went off, and I was up, showered, coffee, and then carefully put on my suit pants, dress shirt, tie and suit coat. I wanted to look as good as a civilian could next to the active-duty military people, all decked out in their finest uniforms. It was still dark as I made my way out the motel door, to the rental car, and drove it the short distant to the base entrance. Camp Lejeune is a huge military facility. I had previously been told the retirement ceremony would follow that early morning's official flag raising. I asked the security checkpoint person where the base headquarters and flag ceremony would be held, and was carefully instructed just where to drive.

Following these detailed directions, I located the area, even though the sun was still just barely in the early morning eastern sky. After parking, I made the short walk to the flag-raising area, and saw lots of military brass assembled in various spots for this special event. Careful not to get near Col. Roger and give myself away too early, I managed to secure a spot in the "receiving" line to shake his hand and congratulate him after the base commanding general's short speech. The marine bugler blew the horn loudly as Old Glory was hoisted to the top of the huge flag pole. That site and sound of the music and flag raising gave me goose bumps all over my arms since I am a true American patriot, and, also, come from a military family.

After the ceremonial flag raising, the general gave a beautiful 5-minute announcement that today the marine corps was honoring one of its finest as Col. Roger was retiring. In his talk, the general read off Col. Roger's many military achievements, and that almost caused the buttons on my suit coat to break, since I was so proud of him! Lastly, Col. Roger started down the receiving line which numbered many people, all eager to bid him their best in his retirement. I was near the front of the pack, and when I reached out my right hand to shake his, he looked up, saw my familiar face, and almost fainted as I told him, "Congratulations, Colonel". His reaction to seeing me was utterly priceless!

Our embrace was so tight, we almost squeezed the air out of our lungs!

The remainder of the day, Col. Roger, his close military friends, and I, spent the time on the base golf course (I don't play, so merely provided chatter, riding in the cart). After golf, it was lots food, laughs, stories, adult drinks and more endless talk. I spent that evening with them (Col. Roger and his wonderful wife, Pat), inside their Emerald Isle, NC, lovely, beachfront home. Pat is also a SHS Class of 1965 graduate, and a long-time friend.

With my mission totally accomplished, I departed the next day, retracing my same earlier path, safely back to Our Town

Friends.

Nothing better.

Thank you for allowing me to share my special life experience with you.