You just have to appreciate this one. Young people forget that these old people had a career before they retired. Thanks to Troutbirder for sharing this:
Your WalMart greeter had a career before WalMart--Photo credit: OC Register
WALMART SENIOR GREETER
Charley, a new retiree-greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn’t seem to get to work on time.
Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven,
sharp-minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their “older Person
Friendly” policies.
One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. “Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work
ethic, you do a bang-up job, but you’re being late so often is quite bothersome.” “Yes, I know
boss, and I am working on it.” “Well good, you are a team player. That’s what I like to hear.
It’s odd though your coming in late. I know you’re retired from the Armed Forces. What did they
say if you came in late there?”
“They said, “Good morning, Admiral, can I get your coffee, sir?”
Who is your WalMart greeter?
USNA or Bust! 
LOL!….Not much of a real motivator for joining the Navy if after retiring as a Admiral he had a need to work as a greeter!
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By: Ricco_USN on 06/09/2011
at 18:20
I read it as a way to stay connected to people. Lots of older people don’t have much outside of their homes and this guy–God bless him–reached out. Of course, maybe it’s my rose colored glasses.
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By: Jacqui Murray on 06/10/2011
at 01:15
I retired after 25 years in law enforcement, another 23 in security and retired as a VP with $26,000,000 budget & responsible for 850 personnel. Two years later and bored to death I looked for something where I could at least keep busy if not contribute. I did and for the next ten plus years I dealt only with people who volunteered their time in retirement. Maybe this story of the Admiral is just that, a story, but it’s a feel good story and I know from personal experience of numerous people who volunteer just to keep busy & interact with others. Thanks Jacqui!
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By: lapd10666 on 03/14/2021
at 14:45
That was my take on it too. Thank you for adding your thoughts. I too don’t know if this is true or more apocryphal. Either way, it makes for a good rea.d
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By: Jacqui Murray on 03/14/2021
at 19:25
Why is he wearing an Army 82d Airborne hat?
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By: TJ on 01/02/2021
at 22:08
I guess he likes it.
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By: Jacqui Murray on 01/02/2021
at 22:19
I find this very hard to believe and would love to know who’s pulling my leg. Does the greeter have a name? Admiral who?
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By: Laurence Lewin, M.D. on 12/10/2011
at 19:26
Hi Dr. Lewin
I got the story from Orange County Register. Actually, it sounds real to me. An aging Admiral would definitely want to keep busy. What part did you consider unbelievable?
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By: Jacqui Murray on 12/10/2011
at 21:21
I read this same story in the Reader’s Digest in their true joke column. I believe these stories are verified by them. I agree with Jacqui. It’s not hard to believe. This is from one on active duty in the Navy for over 20 years and getting ready to retire in a couple months!
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By: Mordechai Schwab on 05/07/2012
at 12:05
[…] Who is That Old Walmart Greeter?–a story of American spirit […]
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By: What’s Trending on USNA Or Bust « USNA or Bust! on 12/12/2011
at 01:52
Cloud Dancer wrote:
Snoped..??
Nothing on Snopes.
However, since it’s posted all over the web, with and without pictures of the “Admiral/Greeter” which vary from post-to-post, it would seem to be just a JOKE…with no basis in fact!!!
On some versions, they just post pictures of an Admiral’s hat so as not to offend a REAL Admiral.
The Admiral pictured in this “joke” is Admiral Robert F. Willard who is the CURRENT, active duty, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
Though he looks like a nice, down-to-earth guy, somehow I don’t think an active duty United States four-star officer would be real amused at being portrayed as a WalMart greeter. I think the USN would be even less amused.
United States Navy Biography – Admiral Robert F. Willard
The image on the “joke” was his 2007 “Official Portrait”
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By: Chad on 05/01/2012
at 18:27
I can’t find anything on Admiral Robert F. Willard’s 2007 “official portrait.” And the pictures I could find of him didn’t look like the Admiral in the story.
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By: Julie Howell on 06/21/2012
at 19:32
Reclusive, is he?
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By: Jacqui Murray on 06/24/2012
at 14:53
I think it’s just a ” feel good story ” that one enjoys receiving and forwarding to friends . I did !
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By: Bill Ramsbotham on 09/19/2012
at 07:27
It makes me take a second look at all the elders doing high schooler jobs. There are a lot of reasons for that, regardless their background.
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By: Jacqui Murray on 09/19/2012
at 14:07
[…] Who is That Old Walmart Greeter?–a lot of people think this Admiral-turned-Walmart greeter is urban myth. What do you think? […]
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By: 10 Hits and Misses for 2012 « USNA or Bust! on 01/10/2013
at 00:43
Baloney – Flag Officers just do not do this. I have worked on many staffs of 3 & 4 star generals. they retire and collect 6 figure retirement pay, they serve on advisory boards for active flag officers, the get on boards of directors for large contractor corporations like KBR, Lockheed, NGC, SAIC, etc etc. This does not pass the smell test
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By: Jim Vasconcellos on 02/20/2013
at 01:52
When I posted this story, I didn’t realize there was such a widespread argument over its authenticity. I like the fact that ‘it could be’, but then, I write fiction as well as fact.
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By: Jacqui Murray on 02/20/2013
at 17:09
[…] Who is That Old Walmart Greeter?–surprised me. There are lots of opinions out there about this old guy […]
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By: What’s Trending on USNA Or Bust | USNA or Bust! on 04/09/2013
at 00:44
[…] Who is That Old Walmart Greeter?–surprised me. There are lots of opinions out there about this old guy […]
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By: What’s Trending on USNA Or Bust | USNA or Bust! on 06/13/2014
at 00:50
Airborne ball cap. Yet he’s a naval officer? Whatever!
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By: Theresa Baker on 12/29/2020
at 00:34
Pretty old entry–thanks for visiting!
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By: Jacqui Murray on 12/29/2020
at 01:04
It would have been nice if the storyteller employed proper grammar. The correct usage would be “your coming in late”
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By: Anonymous on 03/02/2021
at 21:45
I must admit, despite loving grammar, I didn’t even notice.
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By: Jacqui Murray on 03/02/2021
at 22:36
Good stuff!
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By: Anonymous on 04/13/2021
at 23:13
Thank you. The heart of America, don’t you think?
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By: Jacqui Murray on 04/13/2021
at 23:34
That was good.
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By: Anonymous on 01/18/2022
at 01:34
It’s an old article, but heart-warming. Thanks for visiting.
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By: Jacqui Murray on 01/18/2022
at 01:38
This story appears to be fiction. The person in the picture is wearing an 82nd Airborne hat.
The 82nd Airborne Division is an airborne infantry division of the United States Army specializing in parachute assault operations into denied areas with a U.S. Department of Defense requirement to “respond to crisis contingencies anywhere in the world within 18 hours”. Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 82nd Airborne Division is part of the XVIII Airborne Corps. The 82nd Airborne Division is the U.S. Army’s most strategically mobile division. More recently, the 82nd Airborne has been conducting operations in Iraq, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.
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By: Mike N on 02/08/2022
at 14:36
I do think it’s fiction, but heart-warming and maybe encouraging for other elders to get out there. It’s ten years old–would be nice to have an update! Thanks for all the backstory, Mike.
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By: Jacqui Murray on 02/08/2022
at 14:44