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| Paramount Ranch |
Later tonight is the Academy Awards back in SoCal. When I
was growing up in the “Southland” this was an exciting time of year. We had
kennels in Burbank and Malibu, with many friends and associates involved with
“the movies.” When I was a District Ranger at Santa Monica Mountains we also
had lots of “film days” taking our attention. Later with Justin majoring in
Theater (and being an extra in some motion pictures), before going to law
school, we were always interested in the industry and their trends. Throughout
the years we’ve watched (especially in the stormy and cold wintertime).
Earlier this month I participated in the annual wildland
fire refresher course and took the work capacity test: as a Safety Officer I
only need to attain a moderate level of physical fitness, If you were
wondering. That entails 2-miles in 30-minutes with a 25-pound pack; no running
allowed – so, it is a brisk walk (try it and you’ll see). My test time this
year? 27 minutes 40 seconds. Anyway, at the annual refresher the lead
instructor asked us to briefly introduce ourselves by adding what our favorite
movie is and why. There were some that you’d expect (Lawrence of Arabia,
Braveheart, Jeremiah Johnson, etc.) where I found myself agreeing with them, and some that T didn’t expect (“any movie with Nicolas Cage”). This was a group of
35-firefighters after all. There was one lady that picked “Saving Private Ryan”
and she mentioned the intensity. I flashed back to exiting the big screen at
the Lensic Theater (Santa Fe) and seeing several people of my parent’s
generation sobbing in the back. I admit the story brought emotion swelling up
through my eyes too. Good stories can do that. I picked Ben Hur, due to its historical nature and overwhelming message of hope...
This past Christmas, Justin gave me the novel The
Revenant to read; he knows I love reading history and historical fiction. I
had several other works ahead; so, I put it in the queue (like we all do).
Earlier this month I picked it up and started reading, I was familiar with some
of the story re: Hugh Glass and Captain Henry. I got into it without really
noting the author. When I finally did, I went “Holy Caca” (well, I actually
used another excrement exclamation). The writer, Michael Punke, had worked with
our “Living History” program at Fort Laramie National Historic Site. I was the Chief
of Interpretation/Education and supervised that program. Many days I recall
Private (Pvt.) Punke on duty at the guardhouse, bakery, or another educational
program post. He was a regular part of our mountain howitzer cannon firing
demonstration (which I termed “big boom interpretation”).
Here is a photo of us before the
demonstration (Pvt. Punke in foreground and Sgt. Young to his left).
For-the-record: my memories of Mike were one’s of overwhelming intelligence and
smiles. I think the camera must have caught him here after hearing another
idiotic order coming down from command via this Sergeant (remember, “gripes go
up”… orders go down).
Michael was a deeply valued asset and teammate. The National
Park Service (NPS) & I were lucky to
have him share his numerous talents with us. He had just graduated from
Torrington High School when I met him, and he was “headed east” for college in
Massachusetts. Besides being extraordinarily smart, with a keen wit, he was
well rooted and grounded. Overall, one of the nicest persons I ever worked with
(which is saying a lot). At an evaluation, I remember telling him once that I’d
love to work with him again anyplace, anytime. He continued his education as I
continued my NPS career.
Many times over the years I wondered what had happened to
some of the young men and women that brought life to our program. I’d kept in
touch with a few, and used this photo at many training sessions. Taken in front
of “Old Bedlam” (Officers Quarters) before a “Moon Light Tour” of the “Ol’ Fort,”
it contains among others in our cast: Pvt. Punke (fifth from left), Dr. Don
Warder- Univ. of Wyoming (far left) and myself (far right). While my career trail was a
step-at-a-time, his is a great one that is being well documented by the electronic-media.
After college and law school he was a senior advisor in the
Clinton White House (yep, while most of us watched “The West Wing” he lived
it). He wrote several books (I’m reading), and has maintained a noticeably low
profile during the media-frenzy around the story he wrote and the movie
nominated for Best Picture. The talk has been about his consideration for
ethics issues, as he is now the U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization
(WTO). I think of it as being the young guy I knew so many decades go, a
classic young Punke scene: doing his job and being with family & friends;
Saving Pvt. Punke (or the private life of Punke, if you will).
I wrote him a thank you letter earlier this
month (11 Feb.), but it was returned as “No Mail Receptacle – Unable to
Forward.” No worries, it isn’t time sensitive and I’m sure he is receiving a
plethora of salutations: I just want to say THANK YOU for your continued public service and well done from an old
NPS colleague (and soldier) to another. “Well Done ! Michael (and thanks for turning-me-on-to U2 so long ago)…”
