I have proudly served in the Michigan Army National Guard for about eighteen years now – it has filled my life with challenges, travel, interesting people and countless other rewards (and it pays a little, too). I highly recommend it!
Probably the most rewarding and memorable opportunity I’ve had in this time was at the end of 2006, when I was called to duty (canceling all my New Year’s party plans) to serve on the State Funeral of President Gerald R. Ford.
We had all volunteered far in advance for this duty – numbering in the thousands. State funerals are a HUGE undertaking with the President’s wishes, and then his family’s coming first. Prior to President Ford’s Funeral, all of the recent state funerals had, by chance, occurred in states with large active duty military bases. Since Michigan doesn’t have one, it fell to the National Guard to run the show.
With so many duties to be performed, I found myself
doing everything from answering telephones to entering scheduling data into computers, to running information (and errands) up and down the streets of Grand Rapids. On the day that Air Force One landed I was tasked – of all things – to assist military members and members of the media in “identifying” the VIP’s that would be arriving at the airport by ground. Now I’m not much of a “celebrity” guy, but I know enough of the local business owners by sight that I hoped I could at least be helpful.
As people slowly started filing into the cavernous airplane hangar dedicated to this purpose, I began introducing myself to everyone, one by one. This fulfilled multiple purposes: first, it was helping me ensure I even KNEW the VIP’s from the media folks, and second, since the big metal hangar was unheated, it was a good way to keep warm!
As I worked my way through the growing crowd, I met a lot of interesting people. I did what I could to make everyone comfortable, which; really, boiled down to pointing out the location of the coffee, bathrooms, and getting chairs for those few elderly guests that seemed a bit shaky on their walkers. I wasn’t “working the crowd”, mind you. I was trying to be polite, help out, and convey the solemnity of the occasion.
One particular man seemed uncomfortable. It could have been the intense cold. It could have been the fact that we were attending a funeral. Who knows – maybe he just had an argument with his wife? But I approached with a solemn smile and introduced myself: “Good morning Sir, my name is Captain Worrell, Michigan National Guard.” … with the intent to ask next if there was any assistance I could provide.
His simple response:
“Good morning to you, my name is Jack Nicklaus. I golf.”
Tuesday, 11. November 2008
Corey-
I didn’t know you were involved with the President’s funeral. That is a great honor.
BTW, could I get author status for your site?
Chris
Friday, 28. November 2008
If you knew then what you know you, you could have introduced yourself to Mr. Nicklaus as follows:
“Good morning Sir, my name is Captain Worrell. I am from the year 2006, where most people dont remember or even know you as a golfing legend form the 60s.”
I guess I’m wrong about the relationship between age and humility.
Thursday, 12. February 2009
This is hillarious Corey, I get the impression that he knew you did not know who he was! To me it seemed humble, but to Ryan above I guess he thought it was arrogant? Funny isn’t it? I love your website!
Friday, 17. July 2009
What an honor!