David Mitchell
Bored, tired, and lonely, so l just feel like rambling.
I Hope you all enjoyed a pleasant Memorial Day.
I attended our local commemoration ceremony and had a very odd experience.
The main speaker was a guy from my own church, whom I have known for several years. He was an Army Major General with 33 yeas of service. In front of a crowd of about 300 people he gave a talk that was so boring and so utterly void of any kind of intersting content that I was embarrased for him. It has occurred to me in recent years that some people can serve a long military career and never get out from behind a desk. I even heard a few people I sat next to commenting on their disappointment in the time spent.
Four years ago, I was asked to be the main speaker for this same ceremony. I will brag a bit and say that I gave a pretty intense talk to an audience of about 200 people, and received a wonderful ovation, along with some really nice personal compliments - two from local politicians.
But more importantly, I received and even better result from that day. I met and have become friends with one of the most interesting men I have ever met. He is the pastor of our largest and most vibrant Black church - Campbell AME Chapel (AME = African Methodist Episcopal. Note, most American Black Christians are either Baptist or AME). He is Reverend Doctor Jon Black, former head chaplain at Walter Reed hospital, in chrarge of 7 other chaplains of varying Faiths. He also has "only" five degrees - three Theological and two Science degrees.
He gave the benediction and closing prayer four years ago (and also today), and that is how and when we met. What first called my attention to him was not that he was this tiny little Black man, but that in a crowd of dark suits (American Legion guys) he was wearing Navy "dress whites" - and with Lieutenant Commander rank clusters. Navy "dress whites" are hard to miss and he stuck out like a sore thumb in this crowd. After that we had several meetings in his office, became good friends, and ocaisonally visit back and forth. We were sharing thoughts and prayers by text during a very racially charged murder trial in Brusnwick Georgia (the one where the father and son followed the kid in their pickup and shot him). I visited his Sunday service after that and he called me up front and handed me the microphone at the close of his service. "I see brother Dave Mitchell is here with us today. Would you like to say a few words?" I was stunned!
Today we agreed we need to get together again. I can't tell you how I enjoy his conversation. He's like a breath of fresh air.

(NOW BACK TO NORMAL - and less boring - CONVERSATION)
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