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.
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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 .
Meeting the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs
Date
Sep 3, 2010
Last Updated: Jun 17, 2013
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Last September the USS Missouri Association hosted a $250 per plate dinner in honor of military heroes. Retired 4-Star General Eric Shinseki, who is Secretary of the VA, was one of the honorees.
Cathy, her son and I (with our guest Senator Maile Shimabukuro, Hawaii 21st District), attended this $250 per plate dinner. The Senator was seated at our table. In one photo I stand between the Senator and a friend (she is the one on my right). In the other photo, she is the one seated on the right of the photo.
We wanted to present the Secretary with a "shadow box" containing a U.S. Flag which had been flown over the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. In the photo of the four of us, left to right, Cathy, Secretary Shinseki, me, and Cathy's son Jeff (recently returned from duty with the U.S. Embassy at Kabul).
Generl Shinseki had lost a foot in Vietnam and when he found out that I had also served in Vietnam, he sarted up a conversation with me. We spoke about Korea and Vietnam and I was bold enough to also present him with one of my "challenge coins." He surprised me by nodding to his Aide and I was given one of the General's coins. Then, he surprised everyone by asking Cathy (my wife) if she wanted to take some photos with him. Photos are included in my photo gallery.
Just in case we had the opportunity to speak with the Secretary, we brought along a piece of Cathy's motorcycle. Her bike is adorned with some great airbrush work and has over 60 autographs of Astronauts who have flown in space. Cathy was bold enough to ask the Secretary if he would autograph the piece of her bike. He did not hesitate, admitting that he had never done THIS before! What a coup! A photo of her bike is in this photo gallery. Cathy's Two-Wheel Orbiter" is now on permanent display in the Harley-Davidson Museum in Honolulu, HI.