Time For My Navy Reunion and Other Stuff

I will be off line and only be checking in sporadically the next week (okay…I hear the screaming and clapping and all the joyous ruckus out there - now cut it out.) Judy and I are flying out to California today for 8 days of vacation fun together and three days of fellowship with a bunch of old Navy pals. It is my ship’s reunion being held in San Diego this year.

However, the trip is not without its woes. Well, woes for me. I will be traveling with more pussy than I care to deal with. Let me explain.

Due to some scheduling cancellations and other shit, we are having to fly into Los Angeles’ LAX.


My daughter, Dr Amber, found out we were going to LA and wanted us to help her out. A man here committed suicide. I know…tough, right? Well, this unfortunate dumb ass had two cats that he had imported or something and he loved them very much (though not enough to say alive for, I guess) and his family in California wanted them. For some reason the airlines wouldn’t let Amber ship them as cargo. Something to do with the heat in the cargo hole before take off and stuff. Any meow, they would let them go as carry-on luggage. Sooooo, here is Step-Dad and Mom going exactly where the little shits needed to go. The family paid for the trip and we get to take them.

After the meet-up, we are driving to Long Beach to see my old homeport when I was stationed there. I am looking forward to that.


Then on Tuesday we are driving on down to San Diego where we will be staying here…


I have a board meeting Tuesday afternoon (I have been ask to be the Director of Communication for the organization.) Then we will spend Wednesday in Balboa Park and the Zoo.

The reunion is over Sunday morning and we will drive back up to LA to see a few sites. I want to see the La Bsra Tar Pits and some other tourist traps stuff. Then we will fly back home Monday night, getting into ATL around five in the morning.

So, I will be checking in and maybe even commenting, but not everyday (I don’t think). Any loneliness, I will be thinking about you and missing you guys. So don’t post any good stuff till I get back, okay. Thanks! I knew I could count on you.
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I'm Back - For Now

Well, I’m home – for now. I have to leave tomorrow to deliver a car to Roanoke Rapids, NC; an eighteen hour round trip. But the time I spent with my shipmates was priceless. I really look forward to the reunion each year because it rejuvenates my spirit.

I thank you all for your comments and your well wishes. I have spent the last two hours getting caught up on all your blogs, and I am just as glad to be a part of your world, too. You folks are fun, funny and have courage that I wish I had just a little bit of.

When I have time I will tell you about my ship and the men who served aboard her. I was so fortunate to have serve with so many fine and brave soles who allow me to be apart of their crew. From WWII to Korea to the beginnings of Viet Nam, I worked along side combat veterans who earned many medals for bravery and wounds received in combat. And yet they are the most humble and decent group of guys I have ever been around. But, then we are all in our late 50’s to late 80’s. We are too old to be mean – just cantankerous. We are all grandfathers and some great-grandfathers. Some still have nightmares, but all have made a life for themselves and their familys. You would like them, too.

It was fun sitting around drinking a beer or two or twelve or twenty and telling and retelling the old stories. But they are just a funny and thrilling and sad as the first time I heard them. We are always having new guys show up due to the outreach program we use to gather up veterans who served aboard her, and they add new stories and memories to each meeting. And we all get to sit around and say Fuck, and Goddamn, and other words dear to navy men all over the world. The wives just sit and shake their heads and let us get away with it once a year. Of course, many of them (my Sweet Tea wasn’t there) will probably get their mouths washed out with lye soap when they get home, but, man, it was worth it.

However it is good to be home and sitting in my chair and sleeping in my bed – although I will be alone. And it was wonderful to hear the voices of my grandkids this afternoon. I really missed them. I visited the family home of Jessie and Frank James and I went to a riverboat museum in Kansas City, Mo. J-Man would have loved it, and Bug would have loved all the horses that were everywhere. I’ll get to see them Friday, and I’m ready, now.

I did think of E. Craig when I saw a picture of his ship, the USS Sullivans DD537, in a destroyer book in our display room, and I wish Biddie and her family the best and have them in my prayers. I just found out about her situation today, or I would have commented sooner.

Thank you, again for your comments, and I will tell you more when I get back from my trip.