My wife, Cathy, and I are volunteers aboard my old battleship, USS Missouri (BB-63). I am one of the Volunteer Supervisors. During 2008, I had the privilege of working with "Wounded Warriors" (Marines) back from Afghanistan/Iraq. A group of those warriors volunteered to come aboard and help in the repair and preservation of the ship.
I am frequently called upon to speak to groups visiting the Mighty Mo. I spoke to 57 newly appointed CPO's at the third CPO Legacy Academy held aboard the ship (2008). On 30 Aug 2011, I was guest speaker for the CPO Legacy Academy Class of 43 new CPO's. Command Master Chief of the Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific, Patricia M. Roebuck and 7 Senior Chiefs from local commands were also in attendance. I was asked to speak during the CPO Legacy Classes of 2010, 2011, two classes in 2012, and will be speaking with the two classes of 2013.
I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker at the Veterans Day Sunset Ceremony held aboard the battleship USS Missouri on 11/11/11. More than 250 people attended; including a dozen or so active duty Flag & General Officers. I heard one of the best renditions of our National Anthem, sung by a TSgt Laura Murdzia, USAF. I was completely surprised when, at the conclusion of the Flag ceremony performed by the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Old Glory Detail, the ceremonial Flag was presented to me. It was, to say the least, an awesome experience! Please see "Family New" section for some photos.
As a result of an article I submitted to AMVETS Magazine, the Commander of Post #1 in Honolulu, Hawaii contacted me. After a rather lengthy discussion, I was offered the position of Post Legislative Director and Editor of the Post's Newsletter. I agreed, with one proviso; I would be a volunteer.
Other Comments:
In 1970, I was personally selected by RADM Dean L. Axene to be his Writer and Administrative Assistant. I was later officially assigned the duties as his Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide. I was, at that time, the first and only Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide in the U.S. Navy and I was issued shoulder Aiguillettes signifying that I was a Personal Aide to a Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy.
I also served aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in the Operations Office (1957/59), a couple shore duty assignments, 10 years with NATO Commands (including NATO HQ Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium) and a tour of duty as a Naval Advisor in Vietnam (1966/67) with MACV/SOG.
I am a member of The Battleship Missouri Association and am a Plank Owner/Crewmember of the "Friends of the Mighty Mo." I am also a member of the USS Missouri Association Legacy Society. I am a member of the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Association .
Other Memories I shortened my shore duty tour and volunteered for duty in Vietnam. I was to be assigned to Vietnam as a Naval Advisor.
Enroute to Vietnam, I was sent to special training in Coronado, CA. I attended The Survival, Escape, and Evasion (SERE) School, Advanced Weapons Training at Camp Pendelton, CA, and the Vietnamese Language School in Coronado, CA.
SERE Training was quite an experience and provided valuable training for all Naval Advisors in Vietnam.
Standing out in my memory of SERE training is the weeding-out process of those who might be physically/mentally incapable of duty in a combat zone.
First, they loaded us into a semi-trailer truck and locked us in for over an hour. It was more than 100%F and the air was foul and seemingly short of oxygen. Next, they put groups of us into smaller containers, then even smaller containers and finally into individual tiger cages.
The tiger cage I was forced into was so small my legs and arms began to quickly go numb. After an hour or so and being constantly prodded with a blunt bamboo stick, they let us out. They tried to stand me up, but I simply collapsed to the ground. I had no feeling in my arms and legs. Unfortunately, for some reason I was lying there in the dirt laughing. BIG MISTAKE!
The instructor said, in broken English, "Aah, you think funny - back in cage." After another 30/45 minutes, I did not laugh when I was let out.
Near the end of the training, they gathered us together and told us that we would be required to attempt evading capture by an opposing force. Those captured would be placed into a mock prison and those who successfully evaded capture and reached the freedom zone by 0800 the following morning would be free.
We were turned loose in desert-like country and given directions on reaching the Freedom Zone. We had to forage for edible roots, cactus, etc. (we had no meals during that day).
About 8 of us reached the freedom zone and were rewarded with a free pass into the mock prison - they lied, didn't they?
The mock prison was an education, but certainly not as real as what our POW's were going through. Our group showed solidarity when they said the enlisted could eat the soup from the large steaming kettle, but the officers would not be allowed to eat. We enlisted gathered together and unanimously decided to dump-over the kettle and no one would eat, if all of us didn't get to eat!
