Best Of

Coming off of a long, needed vacation, went for a early-bird happy hour dinner at the old watering hole tonight. We were waved over to a table by an elderly couple (early/mid 80s) who we've gotten to know socially. They are interesting to say the least. He is ex Navy, and when we first met at the now-legendary, twice-yearly BB&G Brunch (Bourbon, Buscuits & Gravy), he spoke of being a Naval Aviator in Korea and Viet Nam…okay…

When it was their turn to host, ho-le-shit…

He invited the guys into his man cave, which was damn near a museum. He was of the first class of instructors at the newly created (1969) United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, A.K.A. Top Gun. It was stunning to see, the pictures, citations and awards adorning the walls and book cases. Since the invited guests had limited to no military service, and all of us understanding that guys who were in the shit don't talk about it, there was little if any small talk, excepting the obligatory "What did you think of the movie?"

His reply: "I thought the dogfight scenes were pretty good, we drank a lot more, and nobody I worked with looked like those guys", laughing. He said he was contacted to advise, but was still D.O.D. when they were filming.

At his age, he still has tremendous presence. Tom Selleck mustasche (Just-For-Men'ed, surely), a cowboy hat, leather bomber jacket and aviators. As a bonus, his wife worked in the Nixon White house (she gives out Whitehouse Christmas ornaments every year), and as a high schooler in Texas, was in a band with Don Henley (Yes, she has pictures)…CSB