I played my part down and left. The General was talking to a group telling them how the US wanted to take care of its officers and was always glad to put in efforts like this.
I drove home slowly paying attention to traffic. I had enough on my mind that I didn’t want to add an accident to my day.
At home, there was a message to call Mr. Norman. I figured I knew what it was. I was right. The RAF was rescinding my seconding as the rank was not appropriate for my age. I couldn’t disagree with that, it was the way it was being handled after what I had done for them.
“Rick you still are a ‘ Senior Messenger. We have amended our rules so that they have the same flying rights as you did in the RAF.”
I was feeling cynical at this point.
“So I can still haul people around for you, so glad to serve.”
“Sir Richard, that is not an appropriate attitude, you should be proud to serve your Sovereign.”
That put me in my place. I had better get my head on straight.
“You are correct, Mr. Norman.”
“Well, one thing we are doing is coming up with some Messenger flight insignia. It is going to be some form of a greyhound with wings, like the Pegasus. Also, there will be rank insignia for each level.
As the first pilot flier, you will maintain your Group Captain Status with us. While you will not be seconded to the RAF as a Royal Service they have to recognize your rank, along with all other services in the world who recognize the RAF.”
I could see that what had been done had not only upset me, it had stung the Messenger Service.
“You are also being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Army. They have the most students at Oxford.”
It also let the Army take a slap at the Air Force. Good old inter-service rivalry.
“Thank you, Sir. So what, if any uniform shall I wear?”
“Good point, we will have some suggestions made up for your approval.”
“My approval?”
“Certainly, you are going to earn that Group Captain rank. You are the head of the Flying Division of the Queen’s Messenger Service.”
“It seems like a lot has happened in a very short period of time.”
“Her Majesty was not pleased. She also placed a call to your President so you will be hearing something from the US.”
Oh, boy, the can of worms was really full and open today. I no sooner hung up and the phone was ringing. It was the White House.
“Richard, how are you today?”
“Feeling a little buffeted around Sir.”
“I understand. I must say Elizabeth was not happy with the RAF and our Air Force when she called.”
“I just heard that.”
“I thought I would let you know directly that first of all, I would never have approved you being seconded as a full Colonel. That makes no sense for someone your age and experience level. Also, it does not lead to good order and discipline within our ranks.”
“The last person to have that sort of treatment was General Custer and see where that got him.”
I couldn’t resist it, “At least I am considered a friend of the Indians.”
“It would be our senior officers after your scalp.”
“Oops, didn’t think that through.”
“And that is why you shouldn’t be a Colonel.”
“Point taken.”
“Now that is out of the way is there anything else in this affair that needs straightening out.”
“Not really, I would like to say that General Sullivan handled himself well during this mess.”
“Thank you, I will pass that on. This will be getting him his third star so he at least should be grateful to you.”
“Thank you for the call, Sir, I was feeling underappreciated earlier.”
“Understood Richard. Say Hi to your family for me, and tell your Mum that I will be letting certain senior officers know that they didn’t handle this well at all.”
I think Ike is afraid of my Mum. He probably should be.
Chapter 21
My weekend was quiet. I ran a lot, many miles. I also spent some time with several of the student officers I had met. It turns out several of them were into unarmed combat and met as a group to keep their reflexes up. I was a little rusty but not as bad as I thought.
I needed quiet time to reflect on the past week. I had gotten a lot thrown at me, done a lot, and experienced twists and turns that were unexpected. Upon reflection, I had done some good, as far as having the rank of Colonel, so what? I didn’t have it at the beginning of the week and now it was gone.
I wonder if Guinness's book of records had anything about time in grade.
The Messenger Service had allowed me to retain it, but I thought that was their politics as much as anything. The other services weren’t going to push them around like a little brother.
When things died down a little I would ask Mr. Norman if it was in the Service's best interest to keep my rank. It really didn’t mean that much. It isn’t like I had a hundred men reporting to me.
I called home and updated Mum and Dad on everything. We talked a while. They both agreed that I was taking the correct approach. Why get in a snit about something that didn’t matter? Though Dad thought the Service should have really stuck it to the other branches and given me a star.
I think my Dad’s a bit of a troublemaker.
My brothers and sister all said a quick, “Hello,” to
