Excuses, Excuses … and Lima Company

by
Michael Moffett

So, truth be told, I didn’t mind The Grok recently publishing legislator attendance records, perhaps because I’d missed approximately zero votes, much less any sessions, during six years at the State House. And yes, I was among those who were frustrated when our red team lost some close floor votes due to Republican lawmakers’ absences.

After The Grok published a list of solons with the highest absentee rates I was kind of hoping that it would also publish a list of those of us with 100% attendance rates, like me.

That is until a House Session was scheduled for Thursday, March 7.

Months ago, I’d planned to be at Camp Pendleton, Calif., that day for the dedication of a memorial monument 40 years after my Marine Corps unit, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, suffered a dreadful tragedy when a helicopter hit a mountain during a night training exercise in Korea. All 29 Marines aboard were killed. I was in a different chopper and, like many others, always carried a touch of survivor’s guilt.

I knew many of the Marines who were killed and would never miss the March 7th reunion, where I could reconnect with old comrades and meet Gold Star families. Our company commander, Captain Jay Paxton, would make special remarks at the commemoration. After a 42-year USMC career, Paxton retired from the Marines in 2016 as a four-star general and Assistant Commandant.

A lot of tears were shed, a lot of folks were remembered, and afterward, there were warm embraces, later laughs, and camaraderie. There was no way I was going to miss the reunion.

But as a Grokster, I soon noticed my name listed in a Grok piece with the number of floor votes I missed on March 7. Fair enough.

Catholic guilt ensued—different from survivor’s guilt. But some humility and wisdom ensued as well. Never again would I judge fellow citizen-legislators who might miss a session for whatever reason. “Stuff” happens—anything from sicknesses to family emergencies to 40th Anniversary USMC Monument Dedications.

Mea culpa.

Live free or die.

Author

  • Michael Moffett

    State Representative Mike Moffett of Loudon taught in public, parochial, and military schools as well as at the community college and university levels. He was an elected school board member who also served on the House Education Committee and was a Professor of Sports Management for Plymouth State University and NHTI-Concord. A former Marine Corps infantry officer, he co-authored the critically-acclaimed and award-winning “FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor’s Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back” which is available on Amazon.com.

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