January 5, 2009
Fewer than 00.000008 percent of all active-duty Marines ever attain the three-star rank of lieutenant general, said Gen. James F. Amos, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, but that's exactly what Lt. Gen. George J. Flynn achieved August 5th at Harry Lee Hall here, officially assuming the position as the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
It was a literal sea of stars as multiple brigadier, major and lieutenant generals, representing not only the Marine Corps, but the Army and the Air Force as well, mingled with other invited service members, civilians and family members.
It was Amos who delivered the oath of office to Flynn and referred to him as "not a professional but a very close personal friend." Flynn is leaving Training and Education Command and will assume command of MCCDC, which had been Amos' prior command.
"As you look around this room...you realize just how much this guy is worth," Amos said, referring to the hall, which was packed to the rafters with well-wishers, saying it was more like the wedding scene from the "Godfather" or an Irish-wake.
The ceremony began with an invocation by Cmdr. Greenslit, command-chaplain, who thanked God for men like Flynn who put service above self. Following the playing of the National Anthem by members of the Quantico Marine Corps Band and the retirement of the colors, Amos took the floor to say a few words about the man of the hour.
"It's a big deal to promote a general at any rank, the selection for general is pretty tight," Amos said. "He (Flynn) can do anything," Amos continued. "He's a good friend, he's a wonderful Marine general officer, he's a great husband, he's a great daddy, and he's a great grandfather; we share grandfather stories and get equally excited."
In attendance were Flynn's three children, one of whom, Capt. George Flynn, has followed his father's footprints into the Corps, as well as Flynn's roommate his first year at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., and his first platoon sergeant. Foremost among these though was Fynn's wife, Sally, who's hand rarely strayed from his. It was she, along with Amos, who pinned on Flynn's third star.
"We get not only a pretty good general, but we get a magnificent lady," said Amos. "She's gracious, she's dignified, she's classy, and she loves her man more than anything"
"Sally has been my best friend for 35 years," claimed Flynn.
After the oath of office, pinning and the presentation of his personal three-star flag, Flynn took a few moments to humbly thank the crowd for attending. "I've been lucky all my life," he admitted.
"He's a real war-fighter," affirmed Amos before a reception was held at the all for all those present.