Caddying For The Commandant: A Veteran's Day Salute

Many of us learned about the game of golf as caddies. This was a fortunate life experience for a youngster living on the Marine Corps base at Quantico, Va., south of Washington, D.C.

The golf bug bit hard at age 12 and the beautiful base golf course was my favorite hangout.

Had the great fortune to caddy on a regular basis for Lt. Colonel Bobby Conrad, a great man and great champion among service golfers.

He was demanding and that was good. He taught me how to be a good caddy and taught me things about golf that would be tough to learn on my own.

It was just another Saturday in the spring of 1962. Course was in great shape, Col. Conrad typically would shoot lights-out and I figured this Saturday would be fun.

Then he dropped this on me:

"Tommy, you won't be caddying for me today." I was stunned.

"You'll be caddying for the Commandant...." I was pick-myself-up-off-the-ground stunned.

"The Commandant of the Marine Corps?" I asked. "Yes, General Shoup," he told me.

That would be General David Shoup, four stars,  Medal of Honor winner in World War II when he commanded the 2nd Marines, Second Marine Division at Betio Island in the Tarawa Atoll.

He was legendary in the military.

Didn't have time to choke, he was approaching us as I tried to comprehend the moment.

Col. Conrad introduced me to Gen. Shoup.

"It's a pleasure sir," is about all I could manage. Gave me his keys, pointed out his car and I went for the bag.

Some practice then off to the first tee.

The hours that followed well, just try and imagine a combination of nerves and excitement. No need to worry, in this game, Gen. Shoup was partners with Conrad. Victory assured.

Shoup had that command presence. You know what it is if you've ever met a great leader. He had a calmness about him. He talked to me more than expected. Asked about my dad, who was then the administrative officer of the Naval Hospital.

Helped calm my boyish nerves. Conrad kept an eye on me too, making sure I didn't foul up. But deep inside, I think he knew I would do well.

I did. They did.

It was an amazing afternoon in the midst of great warriors, great officers, great gentlemen.

Through all these years I've been a fortunate military son.

I give thanks each and every day for growing up in a military environment.

That day ended too quickly but I tried to keep track of General Shoup.

He would later retire from the Corps at the end of 1963. He was adamantly opposed to the war in Vietnam. The Marines we lost there were his men. The hospital corpsmen lost with them were my father's men.

In 1966 Shoup wrote:

"I believe if we had, and would, keep our dirty, bloody, dollar-crooked fingers out of the business of these nations so full of depressed, exploited people, the would arrive at a solution of their own, that they design and want. One that they work for—and not the American style, which they don't want. Not one crammed down their throats by Americans."

It was a brave but unpopular stance. 

But this was a brave man, an old school leader and winner of our country's highest combat honor.

At the time, I didn't know he was a Medal of Honor winner.

It didn't matter.

He was simply the "Commandant."

And it was an honor to carry his golf bag.

When you see a veteran, thank them for their service.

I thanked the Commandant.

And I thank all who wear the uniform of our country.