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Chip's Blog

by Chip from Phillipston, Mass

Last Post 2 days, 17 hours Ago


And She Was The Boss.....
Apr 4, 2008 | 9:37 PM
Category: News
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This evening God looked favorably on our family and took our son to Boston with his girlfriend's father, and our daughter to a friend's house overnight.  I called my wife and we decided to meet at the restaurant in town for dinner.  After dropping off our daughter, I got to the restaurant considerably earlier than she would be arriving.  I went in the lounge, sat by the fire and ordered a Diet Coke.  At the table in front of me were two people in uniform, a man and a woman.  I drank my Coke, watched people and a bit of the sports on the TV.

The woman in front of me got up, leavng the man in uniform (BDU's).  I tried to see his rank insignia.  They've put it in a different place since my days....and saw "three up and three down".  But I saw something else.  In my usual forward way, I asked him, "Is that a diamond stuck in there?"  He smiled and said, "Yes it is.  You have previous service?"  I acknowledged I had " a hundred years ago", and told him it was along time since I had been in the presence of a "Sar-Major"..  He pointed out that, in fact I had been in the presence of TWO!!

 

"My wife has something in the middle of hers too." he said.  Being my usual fresh self, I said, "So who's the boss?"  "She is." he said.  I smiled and said, "Back in the day, it was if the boss was a Major or a Lt. Col...."  He said, "No, she's really the boss."

 

When she returned, I looked at her insignia...it held a STAR in its center.  I was now in the presence of both a Sergeant Major AND a Command Sergeant Major.  She indeed WAS the boss....and the highest ranking enlisted person in the United States Army.

They introduced themselves, and as we were exchanging pleasantries, their bill was brought over by the waitress.  I grabbed it and said I'd buy them dinner.  Both protested. "Sir, you don't have to do that."  "I know I don't.  I want to; it is my privelege, not my duty."

"I want you to understand how deeply appreciative I am for what you are doing for my family.  I ask only one thing in return.  Please tell your troops that we love them, and appreciate what they are doing for us.  And let them know an "old guy" wants them to know this because they are beginning to read in the papers things he used to read so many years ago."

"Yes sir.  We don't learn from history well, do we?  I'll tell them that.  They will appreciate it."

They thanked me and said they hoped to see me again in that restaruant...they were from he next town.  When my wife arrived, I told her the story.  When I said I bought their dinner, her smile couldn't have been more radiant.  "Good"  I was proud of my wife, and proud of my country....and I'm still shaking my head....I need to catch up...

She was the boss....

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Member Comments Total Comments: 32
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lafko06 read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 2:55 PM

BRAVO Mr. Chip!!!!!

We all do honor the service and sacrifice these soldiers are making and hope they can come home to a favorite restaurant like the ones you met.

For you to pick up the tab was a gracious and honorable thing to do and you took the honor and respect a step further than most. The pride you have for you're Country shows through in RED WHITE AND BLUE. You are to be thanked also for you're past service.


THANK YOU!!!
Chip read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 3:19 PM

It's funny lafko, I didn't feel like I was doing much. I was in awe of having two "Sar-Majors" in one family...really really impressed. The commitment they have had to have to get t where they are, and the sacrifice they must have made.....but thank you for the kind words...
kayleisnana read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 4:20 PM

Chip, before I finished reading this blog, I just knew it was yours! There should be more people on this earth like you!!! Thank you!!!!!
Chip read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 5:44 PM

Donna,

It's really not about me. It's about two people, husband and wife, who have dedicated their adult lives to this country. To get that "diamond" or that "star", they have to have exhibited the supreme level of commitment. There ain't alot of those diamonds and less of those stars. Whatever I have done (and don't get me wrong I'm proud of all of it) don't hold a candle...the lousy $45 buckes I dropped is spit compared to their commitment to all of our families.

I wonder why this story just isn't told everywhere....
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 7:20 PM

kayleisnana,

Funny you should say that because I did too! I just immediately it was Chip.

Chip,

Thank you for your humble and kind action towards 2 of our HEROES. They deserve the world, but starting with a nice dinner is not bad. I also agree with lafko that service to our country is service to our country. Thank you as well for your past service.
guggipatricus read my blog view my photos
Apr 5, 2008 | 7:46 PM

Nice going Chip. You do have a good heart under your gruff exterior!
You made that couple's year. Congratulations!
Dramamama read my blog
Apr 5, 2008 | 8:33 PM

Chip,
You are the salt of the earth.
Dramamama read my blog
Apr 5, 2008 | 8:35 PM

Lately I haven't been reading the blogs as they have been so depressing and political and I just didn't want to hear about it. But your blog brought me to tears and had me looking for more uplifting blogs.
envelope28 read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 6:12 AM

good job Chip, I would expect nothing less from you :-)
Chip read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 7:24 AM

June, you're welcome. When I look back, it's folks like YOU who service is really about "White bread America" (OK, June wheatbread America!!!)...the regular boring people who make us great. I am no more than one of you.

Let's look at this for s second. Are any of you not serving right now? June, you serve. Both as a spokeswoman for the simple conservative values that make us great, AND, in my eyes, as the penultimate American...the American who CHOSE to be on consciously, and appreciates dearly what I was given on a platter, no matter how humble that platter may have been. guggiparticus, I know you think me gruff, and I am, I guess. I speak plainly about things I feel passionately. I think plain speaking with passion can seem gruff. But you too are a servant. I read your stuff with that "greater attention" you get when you know the material will be important. You moderate folks like me, and that is very very important.

And...Drmammama...It's Sunday morning early...let me tell you just how strongly YOU and your husband will be in my prayers. YOUR service, and captainseapig's service...has been to UPLIFT US. The fact that you have to look for it frightens me to my core. It's funny...there is a story I'd give my right arm to share with you but is too personal to share here. Bt understand this....YOU and yur husband have been an uplifting force here, and I can only assume everywhere you walk on this earth...

To find upliftng writng on the blogs...you need only look at your own keyboard...your own keyboard.
Happyg read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 7:32 AM

Chip, thanks for starting my Sunday morning on an uplifting note. Those who wear the uniforms of the US military are deserving of all our praise and support.It would be nice if all Americans treated them with the respect and dignity you afforded them.Have you ever noticed how humbled they are at even the suggestion that they are worthy of praise? Class and selflessness.The true spirits of America.You did good Chip. Real good.Thank you.
FreeAmerica read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 8:14 AM

I know what you are saying.To become a Sar.Maj. is a LONG time commitment.About 15 plus years?I was in the Air Force.I have
only seen 3 First Shirts in my life.If I remember correctly it took around 15 to 20 years to get E9.I also understand your pride
and why you did what you did.I'd do it too.Just because.Just take the pat on the back,smile and be proud of them.I am.Not many can make that commitment...Lets hope they don't
see,hear or feel what happened in the 60's or 70's while they are there or when they get home.Thankyou for stepping up to the plate.
kilnsetter read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 9:33 AM

Chip,
I thought after reading your comments on the Easter blog "I'll never lie again" It would have been hard to top, Because it brought such a good feeling after you read it.But ya did it again! ALL of the above is all I can think because everyone before me coverd what i would say to you, but had to say something. THANK YOU !!!!!
Dramamama read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 10:15 AM

Chip,
With my husbands permission, I'm giving you his e-mail to tell your story. captain.seapig@juno.com
I'd like to hear your story.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 10:42 AM

FreeAmerica, my brother-in-law is a "First Shirt" and stationed on Okinawa with his family. He is ALL military. I remember, fondly, a story from my father-in-law's funeral. While sitting in a hote room as a family, I said to him, in a stern voice...."Stop smiling". (We were shainrg nice thughts at a difficult time.) He quickly stood up, sholders back and said, "Yes, Sir." Then blushed....he is military to the core...and I respected him deeply, as I do today for being that. My wife's family is military...and that is part of where their strength comes from.

And HappyG...yep they were "dead-nuts" shocked. I didn't and stil don't consider it that big a deal...a freakin' haof a hundred...11 gallons of heating oil...sheesh.
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 1:22 PM

"Wheatbread America".....LMAO!!! You kill me!!
envelope28 read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 2:38 PM

i did something similar at christmas, when I got a letter from a friend of mine who went over seas for a year. I emailed her and thanked her for her service.
we have 2 guys at the firehouse and 1 just came back from overseas and the other is trying to get home for a family emergency.
but anyway I emailed them all and thanked them for what they are doing and the sacrifices they made. (the guy that just came home, had papers waiting for him the day he came home from his honeymoon)

they appreciate it when you thank them, makes them happy to know we are thinking of all of them
Maria_Stephanos read my blog
Apr 6, 2008 | 5:09 PM

Chip. Blog of the year. Excellent. I'm so glad you shared that, thank you for warming my heart this Sunday.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 6:03 PM

Maria, these are the stories we aren't hearing...in the hsadow of the casaulty toll in Iraq. But this is our Army...our hard working dedicated Army...

I remember you...I remember your interview of a guy who bloged here..."Paratrooper"...You won over a very very loyal fan that day...because YOU are loyal.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2008 | 6:04 PM

And June...it is a better country when we can joke and laugh at our differences, because we respect them and ourselves. Thank you for letting me do that....The respect mean alot.
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Chip

Just your average guy, married to a woman who is incredibly smart and possibly more conservative than I am. Father of three and grandfather of one. Devoted Patriots fan and season ticket holder, snowmobile enthusiast and lifelong public servant.

Member Since: 9/26/2006


 

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