John Noonan, a former Air Force officer and current staffer to Sen. Tom Cotton, shared this absolutely wonderful story about the late Ed Murray, actor Bill Murray’s older brother, and a chance encounter the two had while Noonan was stationed at Vandenberg AFB in California.
Enjoy (and fans of “Caddyshack” will especially love it):
Man. Just saw that Bill Murray's older brother Ed died a few months ago. A story about that wonderful guy. 1/https://t.co/u0rwcYUeOs
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
when I was a lieutenant, I had a temp job as a protocol officer as I waited for ICBM training to start. This was at Vandenberg AFB in central california.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
There was a big dinner honoring a community legend, and I had the duty to walk the script over to the night's emcee. I was told he was a stockbroker and had to drive up to Santa Maria to meet him in his office.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
I was in my USAF blues, this was before you could wear your battle dress (camo) all the time. So I walk into this guy's office and he kind of looks me up and down. Then he sees my nametag.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
He sits back in his chair and lets out this amused chortle and points and goes "Nooooooooooonan!"
This was weird and awkward. I could feel my face burning and he recognized my embarrassment. He chuckles again and just says "Noonan," kind of under his breath.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
I'm 23. Kind of speechless. So I just stand there like a jackass in my blues with an emcee script in my hand. He kind of recognizes how awkward it was for me and smiles like he simply cannot get over his amusement at this dopey lieutenant standing in front of him.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
"L-T," he said using the informal AIr Force jargon. "Do you know who I am?"
Shook my head.
"You ever see Caddyshack?"
Nodded.
"You like it?"
"I loved it Sir."
"Good. Because I'm the real Danny Noonan."
My eyes kind of opened up and it all fell together.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
Note: For those who haven’t seen the film, here’s the iconic scene:
Noonan continues:
His last name was Murray. Bill was obviously in the movie. His office was covered in golf paraphernalia, even had a putting hole in his floor if I remember right.
Ed was something of a local legend and the base loved to have him host big events.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
He told me a couple of stories that had me in tears I was laughing so hard. Including, if I'm remembering this right, a story about being in the USAF as airborne tanker and painting something I won't describe on the female-end of the refueling mechanism.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
A couple weeks later, he sent me a really nice email. "Come by the office Noonan, I've got something for you."
When I came by, he had a hat from his brothers' new business venture, Murray Bros. Caddyshack, a kind of Top Golf style joint in Florida.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
I walked back in, a little more comfortable this time, and he grinned and jumped up. He could not be more amused at my name. "C'mere Noonan, here's something from me and the guys."
It was a hat with Caddyshack on the front. And it was signed by all the Murray brothers.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
They'd written things like "Noonan!!!!" "Miss it!!" "The world needs ditch diggers!!" "NnnnnnnnnnOOOnan."
I was floored that they all got together to open a new business but Ed took the time to remember me and do something so nice and kind for this dumb Lieutenant he just met.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
I ran into him a few months later at a local casino. He called me out on the floor and told me to sit my ass next to him at the blackjack table, ordered me a whiskey (his choice not mine), and taught me how to play blackjack.
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
RIP to just a great guy. Gave me a story i'll never forget. He didn't have to show the slightest interest in some dumb kid, but could not have been more warm and gracious and entertaining.
I'll pour a whiskey out for him tonight. A great, great man. /fin
— John Noonan (@noonanjo) May 9, 2021
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