May. 18, 2022
Rummy at the Net
The clay tennis courts shone brightly in the fading tropical sun over the Caribbean, with white lines and a tight green net. A doubles match was underway with me and my partner against two agile and tanned guests who had flown in earlier from Washington.
It was a spirited competition and the sound of a ball hitting a racket gave ardor and strength to the match. Back and forth the score went and when I charged the net I came face to face with my opponent who was really serious about winning. There was that broad smile and the wireless glasses betrayed the eyes of a dedicated sportsman who knew no defeat. As his shot sliced behind me out of reach of my partner the game ended. Hot and sweaty we went to the sidelines for a post game drink of iced tea. My opponent then shook my hand and introduced himself Hi. I'm Don Rumsfeld and you have given me quite a game!
Rummy as he was called by his close friends was a Navy jet pilot and a congressman as well and when he went to Princeton he was on the wrestling team. Always then he would wrestle his government opponents to the ground.
When the plane hit the lower floor of the Pentagon during the morning of 9/11 Rumsfeld rushed to the impact zone and helped the rescue party save lives.
He is famous for the phrase about the unknown knows.