Sunday, February 28, 2016

Saving Private Punke (Michael Punke)

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)…” 





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