"Roasted to a Golden Brown" - the Retirement Party

June 25, 2010 Thursday

After thirty years with the government, the last thirteen at Twenty-nine Palms Marine Base, the HRO staff threw a party in honor of Don’s retirement. Held in the officers club, the Chief of Staff, Col. Holden, civilian directors and personnel from across the bass came together to enjoy a luncheon and “roast” of Don Carter.

An unknown source furnished the staff with a nice stash of pictures of Don over his lifetime (could it have been April, his faithful daughter?) from which a slide show was put together entitled “The Man, The Myth, and the Legend.” Connie Larsen reported seeing Lisa Bowman, Mark Myrum, and Linda Barnes, along with HRO staff members Jess Cook, June Foster and Kim Martinez entering the I&L conference room where wails of mirth, laughter, and giggling could be heard for over three hours!

Don actually went over to see Mark Myrum on an important base matter while Mark was scheming and was told there was no way Mark could be interrupted from his “very special project.”

To honor Don, almost all the guests wore pink shirts. One last jab had to be made about Don who wore pink now and then to staff meetings. Don was the man! Wearing pink was a statement of manhood!! (Actually, it shows that Don doesn’t give much thought to what people think. He’s not at all self-absorbed.)

Jess reminisced that on his first day on the job in the HRO office, how shocked he was to hear “The Boss” (Don) calling an employee an idiot. Shocking Jess Cook is a feat to be sure! Jess, a hardened, retired and former Marine drill instructor could be shocked?? He did acknowledge that the employee deserved it. Those first few difficult days of HRO service, this tough ole Marine added that to his horror he learned that “The Boss” would often call one or the other members of the HRO staff an idiot! Don, being an equal opportunity kind of guy, referred to himself as an idiot too, which soothed the savage beasts in all of them.

(Years ago the staff had a shirt made with the word I-D-O-T. Someone had misspelled the word idiot, the staff got a big bang out of it and had a shirt made in Don’s honor.)

April Gibson, a former HRO employee told on Don that he could never keep a secret. In his defense, Don always told people he told the secrets to not to tell, and in case they were to tell the secret to tell that person not to tell.

Linda Barnes recounted the time when in a staff meeting with the Chief of Staff present that she and Don were accused of having an affair which resulted in her being promoted. Linda was very hurt and Don was madder than mad over it. But they got over the hurtful emotions that accusation created and over the years both Don and Linda found humor in talking about getting a “heavenly bed” when going TAD. Humor, one of Don’s natural talents, can heal many kinds of wounds.

Lisa Bowman brought up Don’s power to delegate. Don would reassure her that any and every task, job or duty would get done and then readily delegate the work to one of his staff. She stated probably the one good reason for Don to be going was that he allowed his CAC card to be used by every member of his staff. This card allowed access to highly sensitive information. Certain people in his staff knew that he left it in his front desk drawer and they also knew his password. Don had delegated the NSPS duties out he knew that if the NSPS work wasn’t done, a whole lot of people wouldn’t have gotten pay raises. He trusted his staff and his aim was to get the work done without tying his staff’s hands.

Bruce Larson remembered when a comptroller, years ago, made members in her office stay into the night to find five cents. Don thought this was absurd since the budget was into the millions of dollars. Go looking for a nickel?? Pa-leeze! At her going away Don related the details of this incident adding that the HRO didn’t think she had any sense (cents). This tongue-in-cheek statement shocked the general along with many staff members. But this is an example of the straightforward attitude of Don Carter; he told it like he saw it.

Kathy was given a gorgeous bouquet of roses from the staff. These wonderful people have been like family. Few days passed that Don didn’t tell Kathy about the challenges and work completed with zeal and keen sense of humor. When people can ease the tension with a giggle, it makes for a good workplace. It will seem so odd not being together for the annual Christmas party. Don was given a special watch, which has two faces – one clock set for California time and the other set for Mongolian time. He will wear it with pride knowing that a leader is no better than those he leads. He has always considered his staff at Twenty-nine Palms as some of the finest people he’s ever worked with.

Against his wishes, Don was awarded the meritorious service award. The Chief of Staff gave him a framed U.S. flag which had flown over the base along with a letter of thanks and congratulations from Gen. Cleardy, the commanding general of the Twenty-nine Palms base. Emails were received from Generals Zilmer, Speese, and Gurgangus – all previous commanding generals who had served at Twenty-nine. Don felt totally honored and grateful for the good wishes and memories offered. It was a party fit for Don Carter.