A Big Stick

 

 

Although I've always had a strong interest in martial arts, fighting styles and weapons, I know that the greatest weapon we have is between our ears. 

When I was single, in my late twenties, I ran a school for Tae Kwon Do for the Korean master who didn't speak English. Heavily into it myself, I always thought in defensive terms, who is standing where, what are the possibilities, etc. My dad was a white-collar guy who had retired to a small town on the shoreline of North Carolina, Pine Knoll Shores. 

One day, he and I went to the beach for some sun and parked in the private lot for PKS residents. As we got out of our car, in pulled 6 young Marines from the nearby Camp Lejeune. They were obviously drunk as they spilled out of their blue Ford. My Dad, who never did anything physical in his adult life, immediately walked up to them and pointed out that it was a private lot. I thought: "Oh shit, here we go". Predictably, they started mouthing off. I came up close to stand with dad, thinking about various defensive and offensive moves but knowing that 6 Marines could easily kick the shit out of us both and be back on base in no time.

Dad was cool and insistent. They were full of testosterone, false bravado and beer.

Them: Who says we can't park here?"

Dad: "That red sign right there, Can any of you gentlemen read?"

Them: So you're going to make us leave?"

Dad: "No, you're going to leave because you're in the wrong place. You've parked here illegally"

Them: "What you going to do old man?"

Dad: "I'm going to speak with the chief of police, and your commander at the base and tell them that six of their guys driving a 1971 Blue Ford four door with Virginia tag LMQ58J came into our community, drunk, and were hostile when asked to leave. It's not representative of what Marines are all about wouldn't you agree?"

Dad had memorized their license plate as they entered, noting the absence of the decal that indicated residency, so when he spouted off their tag number without looking, they knew they were outmatched. He told the boys that there was a public parking area just up the road. They immediately knew they didn't want any part of this and thanked him, one of them grabbing Dad's hand and shaking it profusely. They quickly loaded back into their car and all waved to Dad as they headed out.

He smiled and waved back.

What he didn't tell them was the fact that he was the Mayor of Pine Knoll Shores, had incorporated the town and had hired the Chief of Police who was also a close personal friend. But Dad didn't need to wave that stick because he already had everything he needed to take care of business. Cool, professional, smart... not rattled by young bravado or chest-beating. It all made me feel like a silly boy. 

A silly boy who was proud as hell of his Dad.