Celebrating 25 Years In The Pentagon

My office surprised me with a celebration.  It was my 25th year working in the Pentagon.  I've worked the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Departments of the Army, Air Force and Navy.  The room was crowded with those I had worked with for so many years and those that I'd just met.

Of course I didn't want a celebration.  I just wanted my 25 year pin, and the knowledge that I'd seen things that others could only imagine.  My boss, Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work started out by saying, "Caroline started here fresh out of high school on January 5, 1985..."  I look out into the crowd and I see the minds rolling, and then I hear snickers.

The pride in me wanted to believe that people really didn't believe I was that old.  Yeah, but we know about pride, right?

After the ceremony, the tears, well-wishes, and "you're such an inspiration" comments came.  I made my tearful speech, hugged everyone and rushed back to my office to work.

Later on a group of young'uns come into my office, and said, "You know, I was only 3 years old when you started working here."  Or "I wasn't born when you started working here." 

I chuckled and then realized that it was one of the young'uns that snickered when my boss stated the date I started working.  Something in me sank.  "I'm old!" my mind screamed.  I looked at their 20 and 30 something year old bodies and thought, just wait 'til you turn 35.  Once you smack it, it doesn't stay in place.  It keeps rolling like thunder clouds, and jiggling like jello.

And then another young'un asked, "Tell us some stories."

At that moment, I saw myself in them.  I was once young and curious about the workings of the building, the people that had been met, the strange things that happened.  I told these youngsters the stories:   

    - Of my first day in the Pentagon when I walked around in a circle for more than an hour because I couldn't find my office.     

    - I experienced my first love and first heartbreak.

    - The time that I walked out of the bathroom with my polyester/rayon blend skirt tucked in the back of my pantyhose, and Marvin, the supply guy stopped me.  His words, "Girl, I had to stop you."  He choked on his laughter and finished with, "the only thing I saw was big black behind."  (I was 200lbs then).  I was mortified.      

- The time that I wanted to kill my boss.  He was the offspring of Satan.  I swear!       

- The time that a guy purchased a hammer from supplies, and beat the stew out of his boss that he thought was Satan.  (I'd have to argue him that one).      

    - The time that Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, introduced me to Chris Tucker, Robert DeNiro, and then, Senator Barack Obama.  

    - The time that the Secretary of the Air Force introduced me to Al Pacino (The Godfather), Joe Montegna (Criminal Minds), and Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan).    

    - The time that a plane flew into the building, and the horror I still experience on September 11.   

    - The time I ministered to President George W. Bush.

We shared a great moment of laughter, and I showed them pictures of me shrinking from 200lbs to 135lbs, to where I am now -- 1XXlbs.

They'll be my age soon enough, and they'll be able to tell their own stories. 

At the end of the day, I'm thankful for my 25 years, and every experience.  It was worth it.  God has truly been good to me.

Comments

[Charlie]

Sister Caroline, you are probably the only person in the USA who was first introduced to Senator Obama by Donald Rumsfeld. (That would have been the year after I saw, from a distance, candidate Obama introduced at Washington Park by candidate Gwen Moore -- they both won handily that year).

[Ae]

Congratulations on working at the Pentagon for 25 years that is a great accomplishment. In this day and age most of us don't make it to 2 or 3 years at the same job because we are always searching for something more. I am happy that you were appreciated for your time served most people don't get anything like that. GOD is definitely good and he is continuing to bless you everyday. He has found favor in you!
Adrienne

[AL]

Congratulations Caroline. 25 years of anything is a great accomplishment. lol I'm sure working at the Pentagon has been quite rewarding. Thank you for sharing your articles and chapter from you book. I can't wait to go and buy the whole book.