I worked for Hugh Clausen in the Pentagon, and then, of course, when he became The Judge Advocate General, we all worked for him.  He was a lay-back, easy going guy, but when you are that smart, you can act any way you want.

My previous boss in the Pentagon, Brigadier General Tenhet, had been all business and when you were called into his office you knew it was time to get busy.  There was no doubt that a sensitive issue needed to be addressed (most tasks did not require a visit to his office).  I probably never had a meeting with him that lasted much over three minutes.  “Come in, sit down.”  Then he would lay out the facts and the legal issue and what he needed us to do.  Then he would say, “Any questions?”  And, out I would go.

When General Tenhet announced his retirement, I went over to his office to wish him good luck.  He said,  “Come in, sit down.”  I said, “Sir, this is more of a social visit.”  He paused, and then said, “Oh, would you like a cup of coffee?”

General Tenhet’s direct approach did not prepare me for General Clausen.  The first time General Clausen tasked me on an important issue, he wandered into my office, put his feet on my desk and started telling me about having a conversation with his old buddy, the Director of the Army Staff.  He said that something had been mentioned and that if I had a chance, I might want to check into it.  The bad news was that I had been tasked by my boss and because of his casual manner in telling me, I had missed it!  Needless to say, the matter was not handled as it should have been and I just barely survived.  But, like with my earlier writing on “Whoa, Fool me Once,” I never made that mistake again.  We could be having drinks at the club or playing golf, but if he said I might want to look into something, I was all over it.

After General Clausen retired from the Army, Clemson University hired him to be the Vice President for Administration and Executive Secretary to the Board of Trustees.  They hired him, even though he told them he was a grad from the University of Alabama and didn’t care much for tigers.

Well, after they had been at Clemson for a number of years, the University cared so much for Hugh and Betty that they gave them a 50th wedding anniversary party.  While Carole and I could not attend, we sent the following poem.


                       The Anniversary

Listen to the noise, hear all the cheers,
Betty and Hugh together for, yes, 50 years.
A day long remembered, a day of blue skies,
Full of fond memories, shining in their eyes.

So many memories of early days in green,
Traveling round the world, so much to be seen.
Hugh in the Army, of building his career,
Betty with the family, skinned knees and wiping tears.

Hugh rose through the ranks, destined to be a star,
But he still had time for golf, chasing after par.
As the T(ee)JAG, he ran the show, in charge of all but a few,
Betty remained her wonderful self, in charge of only Hugh.

With adieu to the Army and a new life unfurled,
Say hello to Clemson and the academic world.
He helped pick his boss and she picked out the flooring,
For a beautiful house on Hermitage Mooring.
He looks like a Tiger with the orange jacket he sports,
but, if you dig deeper, you’ll find roll-Tide red shorts.

The special day has arrived and friends gather near,
With love in their hearts for two people so dear.
Not everyone can be there, but all understand,
Their thoughts are with them across the land.
So with glasses raised high, we hope you can hear,
Here’s a toast to you both for each and every year.