Retirement

Today I was required to attend the retirement ceremony of a CE1 from the public works department. I don't know him very well, but Mad Dog wanted all of us to show support to a fellow Seabee, so I took an hour out of the day to watch the pomp and circumstance. It was nice to see a man receive thanks and appreciation for twenty years of work.

The CE1 is originally from Mississippi, is African American, and has a relaxed Southern drawl that I sometimes have a hard time understanding. The man he works for, a chief, is also black and from the deep south. It is obvious to anyone who watches them interact that they have a close bond and are more than just coworkers.

At the end of the ceremony CE1 was speaking and wanted to thank the Chief. He motioned to his supervisor, who was sitting on the stage, with his right hand and said, "I'd like to thank my war nigger". I couldn't believe it. I looked around to see if I heard what I thought I heard and then he said it again, "I just really want to thank my war nigger". My mind went crazy: In this room full of mostly black people is it OK to say that? Why is no one surprised? Why are there no gasps? When did this sort of thing become OK? It can't possibly be OK to say that in a semi-public ceremony! Why am I the only uncomfortable person in this room?

In my panicked silence I realized that I was the only uncomfortable person in the room because he was thanking the chief for being his coordinator. I figured it out because I read it on the back of the program.