Previously Held NEC ET-3353-Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant - Reactor Control
ET-3363-Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Supervisor - Reactor Control
Enjoying reconnecting with friends and shipmates from my past via this fine site and a couple of others. Technology isn't ALL bad. Growing my list of "long lost" friends that I've reconnected with, both Navy and High School. That is very enjoyable. Like I said, technology is not all bad.
Life just keeps racing by.... I have no idea where it goes. But, these days it seems to go by way too fast. Hard to believe it has now been a little over 31 years since I separated from the Navy.... Life may well be going by fast, but, I am enjoying the ride!
Other Comments:
I married Cam just a few months before I got out. We are still married and the proud parents of 2 lovely daughters. Both of them are now college graduates. My goodness, I have no idea where all those years went. Catherine,the eldest graduated from Sweet Brial College in 2010 and married in August 2013, making me a Father-in-law. I then became a Grandfather in September of 2015 with the birth of Penny Elizabeth. Not quite sure how I am supposed to act now. Though, I'm feeling very blessed. Catherine and her husband recently welcomed Samuel Edward to the family December of 2017. This grandparent thing fits me well! "The baby", Bonnie, is a 2011 graduate from Roanoke College with a BS in Mathematics and is working for an insurance company. She moved to Richmond, VA in the spring of 2017. Leaving us with that "empty nest". I am so very proud of both of them.
As a form of rebellion, I swore I "would never cut my hair" after I got out of the Navy. Well that did not turn out to be entirely true. However, I have kept it quite long. Cutting off 19 inches after my 20 year high school reunion. Then cutting off 11 inches on 3 different occasions to give to "Locks of Love", a program to make wigs for young cancer patients. It is growing back again, however slowly and is mid shoulder blade as I type this.
I am an active motorcyclist. I replaced my 2002 Kawasaki ZR-7S that had over 59,800 miles on it in January of 2015 and upgraded to a 2014 Honda CRB-650F. It is a similar bike, but, so much more modern. Loving it thus far! Currently have 15,000 miles on it and riding year round (at least a little). I am very active with the Patriot Guard (www.partriotguard.org) in the Central Virginia area. If you are not involved, it's my opinion, that you should check it out. It is a great organization.
Was so very glad to be at the FIRST OFFICIAL USS Sturgeon (SSN-637) Reuion in September of 2011. It was outstanding. Crew members present from the entire life of the boat were present. 70+ in all. I can not express how glad I was to see those old faces again. Making new friends was just as positive. Can NOT wait for the next one!!! Even more excited to have made the SECOND OFFICIAL USS Sturgeon (SSN-637) Reunion in September of 2013. A chance to meet up with great men / great friends. PLUS, a photo op with and ON the ship's sail. Yep, it was another outstanding get together.
The THIRD OFFICAIL USS Sturgeon (SSN-637) Reuion was in September of 2016. This time we met in Groton, CT and had a great turnout. Some new faces joined us and we all bonded well. Spent some time at the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) and Submarine Museum. Good food, good times, good friends. Once again looking forward to the next one!!!
While it was a "less good" reason for a get together, I was very happy to meet up with 6 other USS Sturgeon (SSN-637) shipmates for the burial service for Captain C.E. Armitage at Arlington National Cemetery in Jun of 2012.
Best Friends George "Jorge" Simms, Chuck Gable, Mark Sawin, John "Little Johnny" Riddle, Randy "Studman" Stidham, Don "D1-B1" Birch, Steve "Chumley" Waller, David "Dutch Boy" Davis, Mark "Skidwell" Tidwell, Danny Olds, Jim Otto, Hal Romans, Albert Harris, Gary "Boy" Hodgman, Larry Dearmore, Mike Reece, Kevin "Boomer" Boone, Mark Reed, Chevy Brown, Marty "Tarbaby" Tarbox, Doug McCowen, David "Turk" Turkington, Don Johnson, Carl Moore, Dan Dubois, Eric "Squirel" Wilhelm, Brett "Bear" Moyer.
I realize that I am missing many folks. I am sorry. Contact me and I will certainly add you!
Best Moment Without a doubt, my best moment was the day I earned my dolphins. It was just before the completion of our Med Run in 1983. I qualified in just 11 months.
I also completed my Shutdown Reactor Operator qualification prior to returning to port from that Med Run.
Time has been kind to my memories of the Sturg'. I don't recall all that many bad times. I do recall more than a few good times. Even getting caught by NRO with donuts in maneuvering while in the shipyard. I thought we were in deep sh!t. But, it all worked out OK!
Worst Moment The day that IC2(SS) Larry Dearmore was killed in a car wreck. He had less than a week left in the Navy and he was going to return to San Antonio, TX. It was a day that will ever be in my mind. What a terrible loss that was.
A year later, doing an annual PM on the 1MC back-up battery, they found a note that Larry had left when he did the maintenance last. It was a cheerful note telling us all the fun he was having in San Antone.... but, alas, it was not to be. Sad indeed!
Do any of you gents remember when the noobie Chief HM jumped off the main deck of the USS Orion while we were in the med? Wasn't it a suicide attempt? I know the Goat Locker didn't cut him much slack during the ride over there. Wow!!
Chain of Command CO: CDR C.E> Armitage --> CDR D.P. Cocolin XO: LCDR Suhr --> LCDR Speer Eng: LCDR R. Terpstra --> LCDR K. Requard Div Off: LTjg G. Kenney --> ENS A. Flath --> LTjg K. Murry RCLPO: ETC(SS) Charles Gable
Other Memories Battery Replacement Med Run in 1983 Northern Runs in 1984 -- Blue Nose Initiation! Refit in the Charleston Naval Shipyard in 1985/86
