In 1986, USAir in Washington, DC, was a co-sponsor of an event to celebrate the premiere showing of the movie, Top Gun. It was a super event, with the Navy’s Blue Angels flight team arriving at National Airport, parking their aircraft near a USAir hanger being used as a part of the event and reception.
For this colossal event, USAir had invited dozens of the high ranking Navy leadership, politicians by the score, and me. For the record, my friend who was heading up public relations for USAir invited me, and I gladly accepted. It was enjoyable; this was indeed a celebration for US Navy Aviation.
At one point, two small groups of people were walking towards my friend and myself; Tom Cruise and a companion were in the lead group, followed a short distance behind by several US Navy Admirals. Tom passed us a few feet away, wearing his leather aviator’s jacket with a large and very noticeable diamond earring in one ear. Anyone could see this with little effort.
As he passed us, one of the Admirals said to his colleagues something like he’d never make it in “his” navy. He actually used some pretty salty language in his observation. The navy group was pretty close to Tom at the time of the comment, and I’m sure he could hear the exchange as clearly as we did.
To Tom’s credit, he didn’t say anything regarding the comment, continuing to walk on. Since he’s in a followup movie about to be released called “Top Gun: Maverick” and is playing a US Navy aviator with the rank of Captain, I guess he’s lasted longer in the Navy than the Admirals did.
Although, I do wonder what happened to “Maverick” in his 34-year climb to ascend three ranks above Lieutenant in the process of his extensive (and imaginative) US Navy career?
I’ll watch the movie today on my trusty DVD. Congratulations, Captain Maverick, on a job well done.
Carry On.
Are we there yet? 