Remembering a Rogue

Taking a moment to remember the first book I bought of Dick Marcinko.

“Rogue Warrior” was Captain Marcinko’s autobiography, released in 1992. To say it’s a fascinating read, is an understatement. I think I read it front to back in two days. The character of the original plank owner of Seal Team Six was larger than life. The stories of missions, the pencil pushers in the pentagon he pissed off to no end, which eventually landed him in Leavenworth.

I had the honor and privilege of meeting the Skipper sometime around 2004 or 2005. Not only did I meet the legendary Frogman, but he opened his home to me for a weekend with his family. I sat at the legendary bar in his basement of “Rogue Manor” but dared not drink with the man. That thought scared me something fierce. I was afraid if I started, I would never recover.

There are a lot of people who have said good and bad about the man. And my guess is, both have merit to what they say. But the one thing I will always remember as a young man, is the kindness and generosity he showed me as an absolute nobody in the scheme of things. For me, that showed character.

So today, I’m taking a moment to remember the kindness of a legend. A memory that will stick with me forever.