From the Outhouse to the President's Chair by Robert L. Bliss

Author:Robert L. Bliss
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-64003-562-1
Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
Published: 2018-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

General Francis Urhane

Arriving in Colorado Springs was mesmerizing, seeing the Rocky Mountains for the first time was awesome! Coming from Michigan (pretty flat land) and looking at the Rockies was a truly defining moment. It was difficult not to get caught up in the size and beauty of the scenery.

After catching a cab and arriving at the base, I had my first glimpse of the tight security at the NORAD facility. Fortunately, all of my papers were in order and I was ushered into an office where a message was waiting for me. It advised me to call the number listed below. The person answering gave me directions and said I was to meet with an air force major at 3:00 p.m. that same day, and provided the office location. With time to spare, I located the barracks and unloaded my duffel bag, cleaned myself up a bit, and prepared for the meeting.

Promptly at 3:00 p.m. I walked into the office of Major Dwight Faulkner and at the time I was totally confused as to why an army private was meeting with an air force officer! Actually, he turned out to be a nice guy, and in the coming months we became good friends, but it didn’t start off that way. Our meeting was brief, he informed me I had “an interview” in the morning at 9:00 a.m. with General Francis Urhane. My jaw dropped—a general! He further told me to meet with him at 8:45 a.m. outside the general’s office, and don’t be late.

The next morning, at exactly 8:45, I was standing outside the general’s office in my newly cleaned and pressed military fatigues, waiting for Major Faulkner to arrive. He was right behind me and proceeded to remind me of my “military protocol”—stand straight, salute, and say, “Sir, Private Bliss reporting as requested,” and wait for a return salute before dropping my own. I told Major Faulkner that “for the past sixteen weeks a lieutenant was scary, how do you think I feel about reporting to a general!”

At 9:00 a.m. we walked into the general’s office. I remember it was a big room with flags stationed against the walls, lots of citations hanging prominently behind his desk. General Urhane was sitting behind his desk. All I can remember is he seemed to be a man of average size, balding, and with a firm look. I also assumed he would be an air force general, but he was an army general, another surprise. Major Faulkner did his “military protocol” correctly and when he dropped his salute it was my turn. In the next few seconds my mind must have turned to mush—instead of following the major’s lead, I instinctively walked around the general’s desk, extended my hand and said, “How do you do, sir, I’m Bob Bliss.” Another example of my tendency to take action without thinking it through.

Two things happened, Major Faulkner sucked air immediately and his face registered shock, and General Urhane reached for my extended hand and said, “How do you do, I’m Francis Urhane, have a seat.

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