Sgt C.
When my wife and I were seated in our booth in our local IHOP this morning, I noted a man eating his breakfast in a booth to my right, directly across from us.
The first thing I noticed was that he was wearing a black baseball cap, but because all I could see was his “profile” and not his full face, I could only make out the letters “US” and what appeared to be a small American Legion insignia on his cap.
After we gave the waitress our order, sensing this man just might be a Marine, I waited for him to turn his head our way so I could satisfy my “curiosity.” Sure enough, he briefly turned my way while he answered (or placed) a call on his cell phone. That’s when I saw the letters “USMC” and a small “Bulldog” that I thought was an American Legion emblem.
When my now “new Marine friend” let up a bit from eating, I leaned over slightly towards him and said, “What’s a Marine doing wearing his cover indoors?” He reacted with a bit of surprise as I smiled at him and extended my hand which he instinctively reached for and we shook hands, as he realized I was also a Marine by my use of the term “cover.” He said “sorry” and immediately removed his cover as we were shaking hands
When I asked him if he recalled the “custom” that a Marine could only be “covered” indoors if he was “Under Arms” he indicated he did not. I then explained what I remembered from my time in the Corps (1947-1968) when I believe all Marine Corps clubs (though I?m not too sure about the Enlisted Clubs, which might have explained why he didn?t know or couldn?t recall the custom) but I?m certain about staff and officer’s clubs), had small posters located at or near the bar that proclaimed, “He who enters covered here, will buy the House a round of cheer.” Located near this poster/sign was a Ship’s Bell which the Bartender or other Marine nearest to the bell would ring upon noticing a Marine entering the club wearing his cover.
I jokingly added that any Marine who found himself in that “predicament” never made the same mistake twice, especially with our “pay tables” being far from adequate.
I asked him when he was in the Corps and he indicated he served two separate enlistments, I believe the last one was in the early 2000’s. Asking me the same question I said, “I retired in 1968,” and he said, “Oh, you were in the “Old Corps.”
I fessed’ up, ?I guess I was, but then again, any Marine who enlists one day earlier than another Marine was always “In the Old Corps.” This brought a chuckle from him, and he got up to leave. We shook hands again with another “Semper Fi” and my wife and I remained to finish our breakfast.
When we asked our waitress for the check, she said “that man that sat across from you paid your check as he left,” adding that he left a note for me.” I was stunned as she handed me our check where he had written this note on the back of it: “Thank you for correcting this Marine! This one’s on me. Semper Fi, Sgt. C.” (Attached is a scanned copy of the original).
My wife and I couldn?t get over this. It has been a long time since another Marine (or others for that matter) has done something like this for us. We are usually the one?s that do this for other Marines we meet or even just see in a restaurant. In fact, in this particular IHOP we often meet the Parish Priest who renewed our marriage vows for our 50th wedding anniversary (eight years ago already) and we always pay his tab, even when he has several Nuns from his Parish with him.
I asked the waitress if she knew this other ?customer? as I heard them speak fluent Spanish with one another. She indicated she did not, but that in talking with him he told her he was originally from Columbia and now lived in nearby Reston, VA.
So, ?Sgt. C from Reston,” should you by chance be reading this, or should our paths cross again in IHOP or in Reston, be assured we want to return the favor, but for now, we thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity. I’m sure you know I wasn’t ?correcting” you Marine, but rather relishing the opportunity to revisit one of our revered Corps? many traditions.
Semper Fi,
Gerald F. Merna
Mustang 1stLt Retired