Semper Fortis

The most dreaded call heard

on a field of battle is “MEDIC” or “CORPSMAN UP”. Anyone that has served in, with, or alongside US Marines, know we do not staff medical (including dental) and chaplain billets; these are provided by the US Navy.

On this day, 17 JUN 1898, President William McKinley signed an act of Congress establishing the Hospital Corps. The Hospital Corps consists of every member from physicians/surgeons to registered nurses, to registered pharmacists, to diagnostic technicians (X-ray, CT, MRI), to lab assistants and everyone necessary to provide medical care. They stand ready to serve the needs of serviceman and women and their dependents, either ashore, underway, or downrange.

Today the Navy/Marine Corps Team celebrate 116 years of “courageous” and “faithful” dedicated service to the men and women that answer our call. We Marines respectfully call him“Doc”. He is a US Navy Corpsman and he is ready to serve in every clime and place. He carries band-aids and bullets. He is not a Medic; that is a US Army and US Air Force term. (Not to be confused with the more elite PJs or ParaRescueman (ParaRescue Jumpers).

From triaging “sick call” on base to treating a diver with the “bends” on a submarine, to establishing an airway on the battlefield, the men and women—with the rating of Hospital Corpsman (HM)—serve bravely and with distinction. No Marine will go into battle without a Corpsman attached to their team. They are trained to fight and when need arises, treat the wounded.

The Corpsmen assigned to Marine (Green) units are a bit different, perhaps even a bit more elite, to their counterparts that remain with Navy (Blue) units. The Marine Corpsmen are a bit tougher, a lot leaner, but equally as compassionate. Even within the Marine Corps, there exists an even more elite Corpsman. These are the ones that volunteer and make it through Assessment and Selection for Marine Reconnaissance Units (Battalion, Force and MARSOC—United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command). These are the elite Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman or SARCs.

SARCs must have completed their “A” school [14 weeks] for Navy Hospital Corpsman then complete Field Medical Training [8 weeks] (to serve with Marines). They then enter the “pipeline”; a 2-½ year training program:

(1) Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School [13 weeks] or whatever the current name is. (This is essentially 13 weeks of staying wet with little sleep and little chow. Think US Army Ranger School on steroids.)

(2) Combatant Diver School [8 weeks] (US Navy open/close circuit diving in open water with explosives).

(3) US Army Basic Airborne School [3 weeks] (Static line “jump” school).

(4) Military Free Fall [4 weeks] (for those assigned to Force and MARSOC).

(5) SERE—Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape [3 weeks].

(6) US Army Special Operations Medic Course (SOCM) [26 weeks].

(7) US Navy Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman Course (SOIDC) [24 weeks].

Alongside these courses, he will attend Language school(s), Breaching Course, Cold Weather Training, Mountaineering Course, Scout/Sniper Course, US Army Ranger School, Joint Terminal Air Controller (JTAC), US Army Pathfinder Course, US Army “Jump” Master Course, US Navy “Dive” Master Course and any other school/training necessary to complete mission requirements. They are trained to fill any position in the 4 to 6 man team. From Team Leader to Radio Operator to Breacher to Sniper, they are integral member of an elite squad. They live up to their motto: “The difficult—ANYTIME; the ‘Impossible’ by appointment only!”

Since 1919, many Corpsmen have been recognized for their acts of valor and bravery. These include:

Medal of Honor: 22

Navy Cross: 178

Distinguished Service Cross (while assigned to US Army): 31

Silver Star: 946

Bronze Star: 1,582

Ships named in honor of corpsman: 20

Thankfully, I have only required the services of a "SARC" twice. The first was in the Pacific Ocean, one and half miles off the coast after a high speed cast shortly before midnight on a moonless, rainy night. I became hypothermic and passed out. My swim buddy immediately noticed I had stopped swimming, my shallow breathing and listlessness. He popped flares signaling the recovery craft to our position. While on the recovery craft, “Doc” cut off my wetsuit and started an IV. I was MedEvac’d out. In the helo, he started warming my body with a thermal blanket. When I arrived at hospital, I was already “warmed” to 93^oF. I have no firsthand knowledge of these events and can only recount what others told me. After 30 hours in hospital, I was returned to my unit. The other time was not as traumatic, just a couple of busted ribs and a bruised knee from an unplanned tree landing (parachute jump). Regardless, these brave men answer the call no matter how minor or severe, without regard to their own safety.

So today, please lift a glass in recognition of the men and

women that wear the Caduceus with Courage. These are the men and women that do serve with “honor and distinction”. Bravo Zulu.

Semper Fortis and Semper Fidelis Doc.

(Always Courageous and Always Faithful)

“Today, we honor their bravery, brilliance and sacrifice when serving in harm’s way to protect the lives of our Sailors and Marines. From the Revolutionary War to the current overseas contingency operations, corpsmen have served with valor and gallantly answered the call, “Corpsman up!” as they tend to the sick and injured on the sea, under the sea, in the air and on battlefields worldwide. No Marine has ever taken a hill without a corpsman by his side. And when they do, they take solace in knowing that “Doc” is beside them.” – Vice Admiral Matthew L. Nathan, US Navy Surgeon General, and Chief, US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

Other Resources

US Navy Medicine

USN Medicine & Surgery Facebook

USN Corpsman History

They Gave Their All

On this Memorial Day Weekend, we, as a nation recognize the men and

women that gave their lives in service to this country. They gave their all in order for us to remain and live free. They gave their all so we could continue to enjoy “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. They gave their all so we could go about our lives saying and doing whatever we please.

Somehow, having a day off from work, grilling or BBQ with friends, or perhaps putting a flag on the front porch, just does not appear to be appropriate or enough to thank the men and women that died. What should we do? What is appropriate? Perhaps you do not live near a national cemetery so you cannot place flags at tombstones. Perhaps you do not live near a military base and cannot tour it. However, you can take a moment and reflect on all that you have done in the past year that you might not have been able to do if we did not live in a free country. Take the time to explain the meaning and purpose of the “holiday” to your children. Find a veteran or family that lost a loved one and express your gratitude. Each of these are a good step in the right direction, but I would encourage you do something else. Think about all the men and women that lost their lives on a battlefield and all the things they might have done or accomplished had they lived. Could there have been another scientist that might have found a cure to cancer? Could there have been an engineer that discovered a new form of energy? We cannot replace their lost contributions but we can live each day with a renewed purpose. Do a little extra in an attempt to make up for all the lost contributions. This has weighed on me a lot through the years. I guess that is one of the reasons I did as much as I could while healthy.

My family has not had an immediate member die in service, but we have known several that have died. Three Marines I graduated boot camp with died in the Beirut bombing. My swim buddy from Combatant Dive School (think SCUBA school with demolitions) and partner in crime at several “high speed” schools, retired as a Marine First Sergeant (he was Force Recon) and was killed the following year while working with OGA in Afghanistan. My maternal grandfather lost a lot of shipmates while serving aboard the USS Helena in the Pacific Theater during WWII. My grandfather survived and he worked hard after retiring from the US Navy. The remainder of this post is his story. If you have similar stories, please share them.

Charles Ray Ridge MCPO, USN (Ret)

(b) 21 JUN 1915 --  (d) 22 NOV 1979

1949. (Then) CPO C R Ridge.

My grandfather enlisted in United States Navy in 1940 before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 07 DEC 1941. He soon received a Metalsmith rating and received orders for sea duty. He spent a lot of time in the South Pacific and was aboard the Light Cruiser USS Helena (CL-50) when it sank. A Light Cruiser is a long-range warship capable of operating independently and could defeat any enemy surface ship apart from a battleship, but was fast enough to outrun it.

On 06 JUL 1943, the Helena was one of three light cruisers and four destroyers that attacked 10 Japanese destroyers off the coast of Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands. This naval battle would be known as the Battle of Kula Gulf.

USS Helena (CL-50).

Within 21 minutes of opening fire, the Helena helped sink the destroyer Niizuki which served as Admiral Teruo Akiyama’s flag ship. He was among the 324 Enemy KIA. The enemy vessels then turned their guns on the Helena. She was hit and began to sink. The battle lasted about five hours when both sides began to withdraw. Two US destroyers—Radford and Nicholas—and one enemy destroyer Amagiri remained to rescue survivors. It was the Amagiri that later rammed and cut in half PT-109, captained by Lieutenant (JG) John F. Kennedy.

The Helena sank and the entire ship’s compliment of 888 officers and men found themselves in the shark infested waters. At daylight, the Radford and Nicholas were able to rescue all but 275 survivors before they had to withdraw to repel attacks from enemy aircraft. The survivors clinging to the nearly submerged hull were strafed by enemy aircraft. Eighty-eight men were able to make their way to a nearby small island. Of the nearly 200 men remaining, four lifeboats were dropped for them in which they placed their wounded and dead shipmates. The wind and current worked against them taking them further out to sea. On the third day, they were able to beach on Vella Lavella. Coastwatchers reported their position and on the evening of 16 JUL, ten days after the opening salvo, 165 men were rescued. Total loss of life from Helena: 168. My grandfather was one of the survivors rescued from Vella Lavella. For her actions at the Battles of Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal, and Kula Gulf, she was the first ship to receive the Navy Unit Commendation. She was also one of the few ships to be mentioned by Tokyo Rose during a radio program after she sank two ships at the Battle of Cape Esperance. Rose called her the “machine gun ship”.

Route of USS Helena survivors.

After his time in the Pacific, he transitioned to shore duty where he worked as recruiter. He returned to sea aboard the Destroyer USS Rooks (DD-804). He would complete his enlistment on the Aircraft Carrier USS Antietam (CV-36) when it was home ported in 1959 at NAS Pensacola. For the next four years, it served as an aviation training vessel ship for newly winged pilots until she was decommissioned. My grandfather married my grandmother on 04 MAY 1940 and remained together until his death. Together they raised three daughters: Brenda (oldest) and twins Kay and Gay. He had a total of five grandsons and one granddaughter. After his retirement he worked for Delta Airlines. He enjoyed reading, especially poetry. I have one of his books. He would read anything and loved learning. I can “relate” to that.

So on this Memorial Day Weekend, I want to say thanks to my grandfather for giving your best years in service to this great country. To the three boot camp buddies killed in Lebanon; to my buddy killed in Afghanistan, and to all the men and women that gave their all, you have my sincere, humble and heartfelt gratitude. I lift my glass in recognition to your sacrifice.

Semper Fidelis and Bravo Zulu.

To learn more about the sinking of USS Helena, read this book available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Go Fast. Turn Left.

Daytona + Danica – Dale + (return of) No. 3 car = “Mixed thoughts”

NASCAR has not been the same for me since 18 FEB 01 when we saw the No. 3 car hit the wall on the last lap coming out of Turn 4. I remember telling my family—before watching Kenny Schrader's emphatic waving for emergency personnel—we may have seen Dale race for the last time. The angle of the impact proved to be more than what a human body can sustain and live. Many of us learned terms such as “energy dissipating”, “crumple zones” and worse “basilar skull fracture”. Later when the world heard the words, “We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt”, the entire racing community shared a collective gasp. We were stunned. We were not ready for the iconic symbol that championed the little guy, to be gone. We identified with his blue-collar, hard working, non-politically correct, racing hero. We lost a legend. We lost a friend.

Today, the Green Flag will fall starting the 56^th running of The Great American Race. The field includes many of the “New Breed” or “Young Guns”, including GoDaddy girl Danica Patrick. There is a sprinkling of the old timers with the likes of Michael Waltrip and the Brothers Labonte (Terry and Bobby). Only a handful of the 43-car grid raced in Dale’s last race. The three drivers above plus Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. On RV's, Buses, and vehicles of all sorts, you will see large, medium, and small Black flags with the iconic No. 3 emblazoned on it, unfurled and flying in the ever present breeze off the Atlantic. Flying for The Intimidator.

No. 3 scheme for 2014 Daytona 500.

Also, starting in the grid—from the Pole position no less—is the famed No. 3 car. This is the first time the car has raced in the premier division (Cup series) since Dale drove it. It is driven by car owner and Dale’s close friend, Richard Childress’ grandson Austin Dillon. Gone is the blue GM/Goodwrench logo on the black hood. In its place—the red DOW logo. The car is not all black; a little more than 50%. The hood, roof and rear deck share the black scheme while the doors and side panels are white.

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500 Talladega, 30 APR 95.

I have mixed emotions about this. NASCAR is different than other sports—it does not retire numbers. Instead, the numbers are licensed to car owners. Richard—Dale’s long-time friend—raced the number in his short career, then Ricky Rudd drove it (while with RCR), but it has and most probably will always be associated with Dale Earnhardt. Driver's respected and feared him. The only thing worse than seeing the Black No. 3 in front on you was seeing it in your rear-view mirror. You never knew when he might want to "rattle your cage". He Intimidated. He dominated his sport. He exemplified "Go Fast. Turn Left". His states: Seven Championships, 76 Wins, 428 Top 10s, 22 Poles. But is this sufficient to retire his number? When we think of the number 7 on a pin-stripe jersey, it will always be associated with Mickey Mantle. The number 23 will always remind Chicago Bulls fans of Michael Jordan. The number 19 for Indianapolis Colts Johnny Unitas. MLB went one step further and retired Jackie Robinson’s number 42 league wide in 1997: no other player will ever wear that number. The NHL did the same "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky’s number 99. When I think of the No. 3, it will always bring Dale to mind.

Yes, I would love to have seen the No. 3 retired and hanging high in the NASCAR Hall of Fame but I knew that would not happen. However, I have to ask myself, “What if Dale had not died but rather finished his career and retired? Would I still have the same thoughts about retiring his number?” The answer is no. Dale and Richard both knew he would retire and there was going to be someone else running the No. 3. If Fantasyland had a Cup race, it would have been a perfect ending for Dale Jr. to race the black No. 3, but sadly no one lives happily ever after. Things must change. Even Dale Jr. and Dale’s mother Martha are okay with the manner in which Richard has handled this. She was honest when asked how she felt about the return of the No. 3, she said, “I have mixed thoughts….I can sort of deal with it”.

Maybe it is time to put the No. 3 back in the field. Times are different; the world has changed. The drivers have changed. NASCAR has changed (Danica may never win, but she sure looks good). Maybe change is good. So, young Austin Dillon my advice to you is simple:

(1) Remember the tradition and history of the No. 3.

(2) Respect the reverence many NASCAR fans have for the No. 3.

(3) Race for yourself, not the car's reputation.

(4) Keep the rubber on the asphalt.

(5) Go Fast. Turn Left.

Update. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won in the 88 car. Austin Dillon finished 8th in the No. 3 car. Danica Patrick finished 37th (W on Lap 144).

I think Dale is happy

Author's Note. I met both Dale and Richard along with many other NASCAR drivers, including Darrell Waltrip, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, and a young Jeff Gordon. I sat beside he and then wife Brooke during Chapel Service before the race. That race weekend (27 APR -- 30 APR 95), Dale raced in and won the IROC race. In the 500, he took the White flag leading the race, but was passed by Mark Martin in Turn 1. Coming out of 2, Morgan Shepherd turned him, taking him out of contention. He finished 27th. I had VIP In-field/Garage/Pit Passes via Motor Racing Outreach (MRO). I returned to Talladega for the Spring Race in 1998. There I spoke to Richard Childress about Nike entering NASCAR. They would soon provide Dale with racing shoes. I wrote my Master's Thesis (1999) on Nike, Inc.

Author's Photo. IROC at Talladega, 29 APR 95.

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500, Talladega, 30 APR 95
Prior to race lining up in Garage area.

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500, Talladega, 30 APR 95

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500, Talladega, 30 APR 95
On Pit Road.

(

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500, Talladega, 30 APR 95
Lap 172 of 188.

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500, Talladega, 30 APR 95
Post Race.

Author's Photo. Winston Select 500, Talladega, 30 APR 95
Inside the Black No. 3 car; Post Race

Thanks For The Memory

In just three days all eyes will be on the opening ceremony heralding in the XXII Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. I love the Olympics and look forward to

Leno's first appearance on The Tonight Show.

them with great anticipation and excitement. However, this time I am conflicted. I am excited about the Olympics but on the day before the opening festivities, Jay Leno will host The Tonight Show for the last time. The show will then go dark until 17 FEB when it will return to its roots in New York City with Jimmy Fallon hosting.

This is not the first time Jay lost The Tonight Show. We all remember a few years ago when NBC forced him to give up the show for Conan O’Brien. Jay got a show in prime time (The Jay Leno Show) with hopes it would be a strong draw for viewers. His show was unable to bring in enough viewers and Conan’s show plummeted in the ratings. When Jay left, the show was on top and had been so since 1994. In a response to local NBC affiliates and viewers, they made another move—bringing Jay back to 11:35 pm for a thirty-minute show, moving Conan to 12:05 am. Conan did not like this and decided to leave the network, allowing Jay to return as host. I hated to see Jay leave but was somewhat comforted knowing I could catch him at an earlier time. I, like many viewers, chose not to tune in for Conan so it was no loss when he left. This time is different. There is no move to prime time. While some have suggested he will take a gig with Fox, it still will not be the same.

Billy Crystal. Leno's first guest.

Like others my age, we grew up watching Johnny. Johnny was funny and we all loved him. I was happy when Jay was chosen as his successor. I remember seeing Jay in 1982 at a comedy club in Mobile, AL, and in the mid-80s in Jacksonville, NC outside of Camp Lejeune MCB. He was a funny, clean comic, known for his observational style of comedy. He regularly booked 300 shows a year before hosting. Many compare him to Bob Hope, in that he tells jokes for all of the country—rich/poor, country/city, intelligent/otherwise—he is the Nation’s comic.

I am writing this in a way to feel better about the transition and to hopefully share some information and anecdotes about Jay. Not much editing. Not polished; just my raw thoughts and feelings. Hopefully, you will enjoy it, and perhaps might spur some memories of your own.

Jay—James Douglas Muir Leno— was the baby of the family born in New Rochelle, NY on 25 APR 1950 to Angelo Leno an insurance salesman, and Cathryn (Muir) Leno a homemaker. He was the last of two children; the older son was named Patrick (b. 12 MAY 1940 d. 06 OCT 2002). Jay was born with a condition known as Mandibular Prognathism a condition in which the lower jaw outgrows the upper. Although he is dyslexic, he graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA (Bachelor of Arts in Speech Therapy). While Jay’s eating and sleep habits leave a lot to be desired, he neither smokes nor drinks. He prefers to eat a lot of red meat and little to no vegetables. He has been married to the love of his life Mavis Elizabeth Nicholson since 30 NOV 1980. He has two passions: telling jokes and automobiles.

In his 1996 autobiography Leading With My Chin, Jay tells of his early years as a young boy playing pranks and telling jokes in the living room to his family. His antics then made it to school classrooms where a fifth-grade teacher commented, “If Jay spent as much time studying as he does trying to be a comedian, he’d be a big star”. I guess this was somewhat prophetic. When Jay finished his day jobs at either McDonald’s or as a mechanic, he was in bars, lounges—including a strip joint—night clubs, and comedy clubs “doing his bit”. In a journal entry on his twenty-second birthday (28 APR 1972), Jay wrote one of his goals: “Hope to host Tonight Show someday. Maybe Johnny will leave”. Just five years later on 02 MAR 1977, Jay made his first The Tonight Show appearance. He was excited because Johnny was actually hosting. Johnny’s other guests that night were Burt Reynolds and Diana Ross. As all comics made it to this stage, they all hoped to (1) make Johnny laugh and (2) be asked to come sit beside Johnny. After he finished with the audience laughing, Jay received the signal to go sit by Johnny. It was one of his proudest moments.

Since his first appearance, Jay continued honing his craft, often writing for TV programs, acting in both television programs and films, and doing stand-up all across the country. I like Jay. He came from a blue-collar family of mixed heritage: his mother was born in Scotland and his father a first-generation Italian. His older brother served in Vietnam and both were taught to work hard and take no financial assistance from anyone.

In a perfect world, Jay would remain the host, but this is not the case. During both the first fiasco with Conan O’Brien and now this transition, Jay has remained a gentleman and consummate professional. He took a bad rap from his detractors wrongly believing he pushed Conan out. What NBC told Jay and what happened with Conan was totally different. Regardless, the viewing public did not care for Conan’s comedy and quickly propelled Jay back to the top of the ratings. He gave of himself. He visited the troops and did not speak of this because he did not want people to think he was boasting. Shortly after 9/11, he started shooting an episode on Thanksgiving Day (the only late-night host to do so) with an all-military audience. He would bring in a pretty actress or singer and host inter-service competitions. He paid for all of them to have a great Thanksgiving meal.

Painting by Pres. George Bush.

Through the years we watched Jay ask an embarrassed Hugh Grant, “What the hell were you thinking?” after his arrest for being with a prostitute and cheating on Liz Hurley. We watch both former and current presidents take their seats alongside Jay. We watched Jay help the nation laugh after 9/11. We watched Jason Sehorn surprise Angie Harmon as he walked on set as she was in the guest chair, to take a knee and ask her hand in marriage. We watched Arnold Schwarzenegger announce he will run for governor of California. We watched a special tribute episode to Johnny Carson the day after Carson’s death. In between all of these, we watched sports figures, actors, politicians, and everyday people make their way to The Tonight Show stage. Two of my favorite episodes were the ones he eulogized first the death of his mother, and shortly after, the death of his father. I remember Jay taking a seat behind his desk just days after burying his mother (d. 06 JUN 93) and speaking of her. “I always thought my mom was funny. She could have been the next Gracie Allen….Of all the comedians I think of as friends, none of them could make me laugh the way she did. She was simply the best friend I ever had”. I had just lost my dad a month earlier (d. 08 MAY 1993) so the pain of seeing him speak of his mother increased my grief. He shared more of his mother in those few moments than he had at any other time. His comments were sweet, respectful, and loving. The pain was real, but he tempered it with a bit of comedy. A year later, he sat behind the same desk and eulogized his dad (d. 17 AUG 1994). To see the pain in another man’s face as he spoke of his dad brought back many memories of my dad and the pain and grief I experienced. It is hard to explain, you just need to watch the video below.

We will be able to keep up with Jay through either his “Jay Leno’s Garage” column for Popular Mechanics or his YouTube channel of the same name. I doubt he will make any late-night appearances on any channel. Regardless, it will not be the same after he signs off Thursday night. His last guest is Billy Crystal. Billy was his first guest on the first night he became host in 1992. Jay told him thanks for coming and being the first guest. Billy replied, “It is my pleasure. I will be here with you until the end”. He is the only scheduled guest, but Jay said the show will have a lot of surprises and even he does not know what the producers have scheduled. I do not know how he will end his 22-year career, but I am sure it will be heartfelt with a bit of comedy thrown in.

On Johnny’s last show, the last scene opened with him sitting on a single stool on center stage, much the same as Jack Paar’s last show. The lights were dimmed with only a spot on him. He gave these final words. “And so it has come to this: I, uh…am one of the lucky people in the world; I found something I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it. I want to thank the people who’ve shared this stage with me for thirty years. Mr. Ed. McMahon, Mr. Doc Severinsen, and you people watching. I can only tell you that it has been an honor and a privilege to come into your homes all these years and entertain you. And I hope when I find something that I want to do and I think you would like and come back, that you’ll be as gracious in inviting me into your home as you have been. I bid you a very heartfelt good night”. With that, the spot slowly dimmed with just enough illumination to show him sitting in shadow.

Promo shot of the show.

However, he closes the show, I trust it will be one of the most watched shows, and ratings will reflect this. I hope NBC recognizes him for a job well done. Since he has been compared to Bob Hope, it is only fitting I use Mr. Hope’s words. “Thanks for the memory….Awfully glad I met you, cheerio, tootle-oo, Thank you, thank you”.

Timeline

02 MAR 1977  First The Tonight Show appearance.

30 NOV 1980   Married wife Mavis.

01 FEB 1982    Late Night With David Letterman debuts on NBC.

09 SEP 1986    First time as guest host of The Tonight Show.

1987                Named as exclusive guest host of The Tonight Show.

22 MAY 1992  Johnny Carson’s last show.

25 MAY 1992  Jay’s first episode as host of The Tonight Show.

06 JUN 1993    Mother Cathryn Muir Leno passes.

17 AUG 1994  Father Angelo Leno passes.

1995                Won Emmy® for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series.

1997                Autobiography, Leading With My Chin.

29 MAY 2009  Last episode as host. Conan O’Brien was the last guest.

14 SEP 2008    The Jay Leno Show debuted. Jerry Seinfeld was the first guest.

01 MAR 2010  Returned as host of The Tonight Show.

AUG 2012       Took a pay cut to save the jobs of some of his staffers.

03 APR 2013   NBC announces Jay will leave as host and Jimmy Fallon as new host.

06 FEB 2014    Last episode as host. Billy Crystal was a guest.

Jay's IMDB Profile

UPDATE: 07 FEB 14

Last night was Jay’s finale episode. I, along with nearly 15 million others, got in bed, got under the covers and tuned in to see how he would sign off. This was the fourth-largest audience during his tenure. (The numbers for his top shows: (1) 20 MAY 1993, Cheers finale: 22.4 million. (2) 25 MAY 1992, Leno’s debut: 16.1 million. (3) 14 MAY 1998, Seinfeld finale: 15 million. (4) 06 FEB 2004, Leno’s finale 14.6 million.)

Show Recap

Along with scheduled guest Billy Crystal, Jay’s favorite Country singer Garth Brooks sang two songs; “The Dance” and “Friends in Low Places”. Notable guests included Oprah Winfrey, Carol Burnett, Jim Parsons, Cheryl Crowe, Jack Black, and Kim Kardashian. Yeah, that last one threw me for a loop too. They sang their own version of “So Long, Farewell” from Sound of Music. Stars that sent a recorded message included Matt Damon, Tyler Perry, Kevin Bacon, Mark Wahlberg, Charlie Sheen, Martha Stewart and Jimmy Fallon. Fallon told Leno, “If a big story ever breaks and you have your head full of jokes, you can always come home to The Tonight Show.” NOTE: A link to his final episode and one for his final comments, are below.

Earlier today, I received a tweet from @YouTooCongress. She complimented me on the blog but reminded me I forgot Mrs. Hawkes. It’s true. In my haste and without much editing, I forgot one of the most influential people in Jay’s life—Mrs. Hawkes. She taught creative writing and was one of Jay’s high school teachers. She told Jay he was always fooling around in class, telling jokes and funny stories making people laugh. She encouraged him to write these stories down and she would grade them for class credit. Jay enjoyed this assignment. Homework was no longer “work”. He threw himself into his assignments, often rewriting the stories until they were perfect. After some time had passed, Mrs. Hawkes asked Jay to read his stories to the class. The class laughed. It was then she suggested he consider becoming a comedy writer. The rest—as they say—is history. When you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. From the manner Jay has thrown himself into his craft, and his heartfelt comments, it is obvious Jay has made a heck of a living, having never worked a day of his adult life. He simply loved being a comedian.

Incidentally, @YouTooCongress in a second tweet, shared this tidbit of information: “I went to HS with [Jay]. He wrote in my yearbook: ‘Never forget Mrs. Hawkes’. I didn’t know why for years.” Small world.

Edited Transcript of Final Comments

“Boy, this is the hard part….This is tricky. I have to thank the audience. We wouldn’t be on the air without you people. This has been the greatest 22 years of my life. I am the luckiest guy in the world. I got to meet presidents, astronauts, movie starts. It’s just been incredible. I got to work with lighting people, who made me look better than I really am. I got to work with audio people who make me sound better than I really do. And I got to work with producers and directors, and just all kinds of talented people. They made me look a lot smarter than I really am. I will tell you something. The first year of this show I lost my mom. The second year I lost my dad. Then my brother died and uh, I was pretty much out of family. The folks here became my family….In closing, I want to quote Johnny Carson who was the greatest guy to ever do this job. And he said ‘I bid you all a heartfelt good night’.”

I think Jay knew, and I certainly agree, there was no better way to close than quoting Johnny. Johnny set the standard. His comments above were for his staff, the audience, and the viewers. However, I really think his last four words were reserved for the one love of his life, his wife Mavis. Well done and Good Night Jay. "Thanks everybody. Watch Jimmy Fallon. I’m coming home Honey".

Jay's Final Episode
Jay's Heartfelt Goodbye

Semper Fi Marine

I ran out of dry rub and did not want to make any today, so I went to Big Bob Gibson to buy some. On the way in, I opened the door for an elderly gentleman walking with a cane alongside two women that appeared to be his daughters.

I heard him say "War Eagle!" upon seeing my cap. I turned and replied, "War Eagle!" and seeing his Marine Veteran cap I added "Semper Fi". He echoed my greeting and asked if I attended AU. I told him no, but after leaving the Corps I married into a family of AU grads. He said he graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute after leaving the Corps. I asked if he served in the Pacific (WWII). He said, “I was on 'The Canal' (Guadalcanal), Tarawa (bloodiest battle for Marines in WWII), and Iwo (Jima)”. His voice trailed and he sort of looked through me as if focusing on a photo album of black and white images only he could see.

Raising of flag on Mt. Suribachi. Joe Rosenthal (AP) 23 FEB 45

He asked, "Young man, you alone? I'd like to buy you lunch." I explained I was not eating and thanked him for the offer and his service. I removed my sunglasses, and straightened my stance as I extended my hand and said "Semper Fi Marine". He moved the cane from his right hand to his left; he stood erect, squared his shoulders, grasped my hand and replied "Semper Fi Marine". For a moment his blue eyes, with his windblown red cheeks and the white of his hair peeking out from under his cap, reminded me of that flag, battered and torn yet flying high on Suribachi and a younger version of the man standing before me watching the raising; himself battered and torn.

I tipped my cap to his smiling proud daughters, one returning my wink. I walked out of that restaurant feeling grateful, filled with pride and a bit remorseful for not accepting his lunch invitation.

By the time I got to my car, the wind must have been blowing rather hard because it made my eyes water, and a tear rolled down my cheek.

All I could think was...Semper Fi Marine.

Then You Might Know

If you have ever mounted your rack, said “G’nite Chesty Puller wherever you are”, prayed, then slept in the position of attention…

Then you might know what it means to serve as a United States Marine.

If you have ever been asked “Whose hand is on that weapon?”….

If you have ever stood on the yellow foot prints…

If your Drill Instructor misunderstood your girlfriend’s name and called her Suzy Rotten Crotch…

If you knew what Suzy was doing with Jody….

If you know the difference in spelling between the Island and the French city…

If you have ever pulled “pits”….

If you have ever received a five-five-six hickey…

If you have ever been told “stand by to stand by”….

If you have ever been sent to the rose garden….

If you have ever taken part in a Chinese field day…

If you know where “The Rock” is…

If you have ever experienced “the suck”…

If you know the acronyms BAMCIS, BRASSF, SMEAC, SALUTE…

If you have ever done a “Side Straddle Hop”…

If you have ever received individual instruction on the quarter deck…

If you were proud you were not a POG…

If your definition of MSG is not MonoSodium glutamate…

If you have carried either ALICE or MOLLE on your back…

If you have ever slept on a rubber bitch…

If you know where 29 Stumps is located…

If you have ever used the phrase “Big Green Weenie” and BOHICA in the same sentence…

If you know the answer to “what keeps a chicken’s butt from dragging the ground?”[i]…

If you use terms rack, ladder-well, deck, hatch, head, porthole, and bulkhead…

If you have ever allowed “John Wayne” to open your meal….

If you know the difference between your rifle and your gun…

If you know which of the above is for shootin’ and which is for fun…

If you know all the “deuces”, (Ma deuce, deuce and a half, four-deuce, deuce gear)….

If you have ever been called a Devil Dog, Gyrene, Jarhead or Leatherneck…

It you have ever saluted a CPO/SCPO/MCPO because you saw brass/silver on the collar…

If you know the true origin of OOH-RA[ii]….

If you still know the words to the Marine’s Hymn after leaving the Corps…

If you are able to adapt, improvise, and overcome…

If you can still name your Senior and other Drill Instructors…

If you have ever heated your chow on a vehicle engine…

If you get a lump in your throat when you hear the National Anthem…

If you have ever self-reported your actions…

If you understand Honor, Courage, and Commitment…

 

If you live by the creed Semper Fidelis…

If you have ever reassured a “hit” Marine he will see his family again…

If you have ever been down range, away from your family, eating a cold MRE while lying in a cold, muddy hide on Christmas…

If you continue giving your all, remaining “always faithful”, protecting this country from all enemies regardless of what Congress does to your pay and benefits…

Then you might know what it means to serve as a United States Marine.

If you know a Marine either still serving or not, give them a hug and kiss, buy them a round, and tell 'em thank you for serving.

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[i] Asked by “airborne” or jump-qualified Marines (either static-line or freefall parachute). The answer is a “pair of dirty stinking LEGs”. This differentiates those Marines with “wings” from those without, or LEGs.

[ii] Marines of 1^st Amphibious Reconnaissance Co., during the Korean War were often transported to remote beaches for insertion and traveled via submarines. The klaxon call signaling “DIVE, DIVE, DIVE” prompted the Recon Marines to start imitating the “Aarugha” call, often called “barking”. The Marines eventually morphed this into OOH-RAH. Sometime in the late 70s, the motivational call migrated from Recon Marines into the Fleet.

I Have Accepted—

My vision has blurred, but my sight has sharpened.

My body has softened, but my resolve has hardened.

My muscles have weakened, but my faith has strengthened.

I realize the man represented in my profile pic is long gone. It was taken just moments before my health changed on 31 JUL 94.

I have accepted—

—I will never again dive beneath the oceans.

—I will never again glide to earth under a parachute.

—I will never again plunge thru Class V rapids.

But because of my health—

—laughter is sweeter.

—hugs more compassionate.

—'I love yous' more meaningful.

I have experienced the depths of sorrow and the heights of joy. I have suffered unimaginable pain to then be comforted with soothing words of support.

Before everyone gets involved with the activities of Christmas, I wanted to say thank you for all those that have checked on me, prayed for me, flirted with me, encouraged me, debated me, etc. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous, blessing filled Happy New Year.

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (NIV)