Schmoozing with the 4 Star

A week or so ago Kate told us that she was invited to attend a lunch with the Commandant of the Marine Corp and the Sargent Major of the Marine Corp.  A very big deal for any Marine.  The Commandant,  General James Conway, was on his way to Iwo Jima to attend a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles in American History.  But before going, he had lunch with Kate!

Kate called us after, about as excited as I have ever heard her.

Of course, its an honor to attend a lunch with the Commandant. It turned out that Kate was one of twenty-five Marines that attended the lunch.  One long table.  Kate grabbed a spot in the middle, figuring the Commandant would sit at one end and the Sargent Major at the other.  As everyone else started to fill in, she realized that the seats directly across from her were still open.  When the guests of honor arrived, thats where they sat.  General Conway directly across from Kate, with the Sargent Major of the Marines, Carlton Kent,  to his left.  Talk about nervous excitement!!

So Kate had a nice lunch. Fish, rice and veggies, with the boss’s  boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s  boss. I’m talking 4 star general people!!  She said they were both  really nice and friendly and conversational.  The topper to the whole day came when the Commandant presented each Marine with a “Commandant’s Coin”. There is a tradition for Marines to collect “challenge coins”. Challenge coins are commemorative coins that mark duty station or promotion or battles. We bought Kate her first coin . It was a 4th recruit training battalion coin. Marking her time at Parris Island. She has collected similar coins along the way.   The Commandant’s coin may be the most prized of all. 

Way to go Flaherty! WE ARE PROUD!