Like every self-respecting Navy retiree does every so often, I was scanning my “love me wall” and my eyes fell on a cup that was given to me a few years ago. It isn’t anything fancy, but it represents something significant so it holds a special place in my heart.
It was given to me by a Sailor with whom I had once worked after I had flown out to re-enlist him at his new command. It was a top secret facility; so secret that I was forbidden from ever speaking about it.
It did not exist.
We held the ceremony on site, and afterwards I even got a limited tour of the place. As I was leaving, he gave me a gift from the little store the command hosted on site.
It was a souvenir cup with a picture of the facility printed on it, and included the command’s nickname.
I am no national security expert and no one will ever ask my advice on such things, but it seems to make sense that if you really want to keep the existence of a place undisclosed, YOU MIGHT WANT TO QUIT SELLING SOUVENIRS WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.
But that’s just me.
