Previously Held NEC SR-0000-Seaman Recruit
SN-0000-Seaman
SN-9740-Seaman - Other Technical and Allied Specialists
IC-0000-Interior Communications Electrician
I retired on the last day of June, 2011, the month I turned 61,
and took my Arizona State pension, then Social Security at 62.
I spent my post-navy life as a photographer and media manager.
The Navy gave me gypsy feet, and I've enjoyed them all my life.
As a result, traveling was not just a bucket list item for me.
With the way things have gone, it was a good investment.
I'm a direct descendant, tenth generation, of Joseph Loomis.
The Loomis Family arrived in the New World on 17 July, 1638.
We have defended America ever since.
Other Comments:
"Service included boots-on-the-ground in Viet-Nam"
[ One year, 365 days, 24/7 -- 7 June 1970 to 7 June 1971 ] U.S. Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon RVN.
I am also a Plank Owner and Shellback, USS Harlan County (LST-1196).
During my 4 years of active duty, 3 years were credited as foreign or sea service.
Technically, I was on Active Duty, USN, 3 years, 11 months and 16 days. However, I was in the Naval Reserve before that and after that, both Active Reserves and Inactive Reserves. So N/TWS has credited me from April 1969 through April 1983, 4 years active USN plus 4 years USNR and 6 years inactive Naval Reserves, and that is why my profile may occasionally show three hash marks. 1983 was my final Inactive Naval Reserve discharge date. Also, because I worked overseas, I never managed to take the 2nd Class Exam. So, actually I never wore more than one hash mark on my dress blues. And yes... there is a "V" on my Navy Achievement Medal even without having a Combat Action Ribbon because that's the way it was awarded. For more information click on the NAM w/V ribbon in my ribbon rack.
I am glad, proud, to have been born an American.
I voluntarily joined the armed forces, and for that
matter I volunteered for duty in Viet-Nam.
What I had hoped for was to not bring the violence,
the lack of value of a human life that I experienced
in Viet-Nam, back to America. It is that simple.
During my civilian career I spent over ten years as a hospital/medical photographer, two years in Saudi Arabia with Lockheed, and then two and a half decades as the media specialist and manager for a 9,000+ student public school district in Phoenix, Arizona. I feel fortunate to have retired without ever having a single unemployment or welfare check.
Many of the songs that take me back are from my year in Saigon... like: The Flower Girl... in fact 'flowers' is not in the title but most people know the song when you say: I Love The Flower Girl. The real title is: "The Rain, The Park, And Other Things" by the Cowsills.
This song always takes me back to the streets of Saigon where I see the flower girls (and shoe shineboys). They would put leis of strung flowers around your neck hoping for some change in return. Between 5 and 10 years old they were "War Orphans".
Another strange image comes with a song called: "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie. The first time I was there I had orders in my back pocket for Viet-Nam. I flew from Friso to Nam. But the image I have is from a dream. I am standing on one side of a chain link fence and all those Flower People are on the other side. I always did feel that difference. I'd volunteered for service in Viet-Nam and I'm glad I went. I never will be on their side of that fence, no matter how imaginary it may be.
I grouped these: "Saigon Juke Box" - "Memories of My Tour"
My Girl - The Temptations Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops Superstition - Stevie Wonder War - Edwin Starr I Want To Take You Higher - Ike & Tina Turner Papa Was A Rolling Stone - The Temptations Just My Imagination - The Temptations Julie, Do Ya Love Me - Bobby Sherman Green-Eyed Lady - Sugarloaf For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Get Together - The Youngbloods Sugar Sugar - Archies Standing In The Shadows Of Love - The Four Tops I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye Cloud Nine - The Temptations Midnight Confessions - The Grass Roots Soul Deep - The Box Tops Crystal Blue Persuasion - Tommy James Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler Spirit In The Sky - Norman Greenbaum Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan
Sandy - Dion Memory lane... Sandy lived across the street from our house. If I was lucky she would share a stick of her Clove gum with me. She moved away the summer I turned 13. I wish we could have been "teenagers" together. I think they called it... puppy love. Oh my.
Then again, that's why I listen to these old songs. For the memories they flood my mind with.