For many members of the Marine Corps being invited to a
retirement party for a fellow Marine is sometimes sadder than
attending a funeral. Retirement thrusts them away from the
camaraderie of their brothers and sisters in arms and into
the civilian world. In 1968, Maj. Rick Spooner recognized the
need for a place to bring together his fellow Marines, and
with that the Globe and Laurel was born.
It started out as a hobby. Spooner had just returned from two
years in Vietnam and was hungry for a challenge. He
understood the deep need of Marines both active duty and
retired to be together. With zero experience and all the
passion and firepower of a 155 mm Howitzer, Spooner and his
wife, Gloria, opened their restaurant in the town of
Quantico.
"It was a good thing we didn't know anything about the
restaurant industry," said Spooner, "because if we had, we
never would have done it." Despite the Spooners' large
learning curve, the customers came and devoured the
cheeseburgers and sandwiches Spooner served, while swapping
stories with their fellow leathernecks.
The Spooners were a team of intense faith and Marine
determination. Not even the fire that gutted their restaurant
in 1973 fazed them from their mission to serve men and women
in uniform.
"There was never any doubt that we would rebuild," said
Spooner. "Marines don't give up."
Soon Spooner was faced with his own retirement, and his wife
encouraged him to transform their part-time hobby into a
full-time business. Out went the sandwiches and in came
"Semper Fi Steak" and calamari. Pieces of military history
donated by Spooner and loyal customers adorn the walls.
Museum-quality relics cover the spectrum of the Marines'
history from the 1800s to present and include enough weaponry
to outfit a small army.
One interesting conversation piece is a World War II canteen
on display in a wooden case. It belonged to a Japanese
soldier who took Spooner prisoner on Saipan. Spooner calls
him the "Christian Soldier" because he wore a crucifix under
his uniform and showed Spooner mercy.
Father John C. Cregan, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in
Alexandria, is a longtime friend of the both Spooner and his
wife, whom he described as a "pillar of faith." Father Cregan
enjoys coming down to the Globe and Laurel to visit with
Spooner and talk about their military days.
"Maj. Spooner is a real treasure to the Marine Corps and does
a lot to promote the spirit of the Marine Corps," said Father
Cregan, who also is a retired Marine. "It is a place a lot of
Marines cherish."
Military patrons liken the Globe and Laurel to the Tun Tavern
in Pennsylvania, which is believed to be the location of the
first Marine Corps recruitment.
The Globe and Laurel now stands at its third location in
Stafford, down the road from the Marine Corps Museum.
Spooner comes in almost every day as the gracious host to
greet his guests and toast "Semper Fi" with his fellow
marines. Sometimes it takes him an hour to get from the front
door of the restaurant to his office because reconnecting
with old friends and making sure his customers are enjoying
themselves always comes first. He views his work at the Globe
and Laurel as a vocation and feels privileged to serve his
customers who give so much of themselves to protect the
nation.
Buyers can be reached at abuyers@catholicherald.com.