Sunday for some is just another day off work. Or a day at the golf course. Or a morning on the river fishing...communing with nature, God's work, up close and personal. Any excuse to NOT be in church? There was a time for me, after a difficult week at work, that I didn't want to go to church either. Then I would drag myself there, because Pat insisted that we go. Then about two minutes into the sermon, her sharp elbow and my rib cage would start to be in conflict. I thank Pat for her insistence on my staying awake because it was the right thing to do. I was "the Husband", the "Father". I needed to lead my family by example, and the example I was giving was not the proper one, by snoozing at church. My turn around seemed to have worked because all three of my children go to church regularly, and I am very proud of them for setting an outstanding example for their families.
How we live is seen by others that we don't even know are watching. "It's none of their business" you say. That may be true, but that doesn't keep them from seeing, does it? "Harry down the road runs down to the river fishing every Sunday morning, I think I will too." What comes to mind is: Monkey see, monkey do. Does that fit your life? Are you the one that is sitting in a boat on a lake or under a tree at the river, when there is church happening? After all. Take the plunge and start attending a church, and seeing if there isn't a change in your attitude. Give it some time, because it takes time to form new habits. My children were brought up as United Methodists. My two oldest are now attending, and are MEMBERS of Baptist churches, and my youngest and his family are attending a Non-Denominational Mega Church in Henderson NV. "Why?" you ask. Because they found a church that fits their schedule, comfort level (or maybe it is their challenge level) and most importantly, are being spiritually fed every week. My son at the mega church takes his family on Saturday evening, because of his work schedule, and there are Christian Children's programing for his four daughters. It doesn't really matter what denomination of a church you attend, it is only a man made label anyway. Although, being United Methodist, it would be nice if they had kept that family tradition up. I understand and am in continual conversation with all three making sure they are active in their churches of choice. Here in West Tennessee living 10 minutes from my daughter, her Church Pastor and I have become a good friends and I am encouraging him in every way I can, because he is a Brother in Christ, denomination doesn't matter, we are serving the same God...the one and only God...the one that sent us His Son, Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer and Savior. Ya, that's the one. Labels....traditions, techniques...comfort levels...make up of the congregation...spiritual fulfillment. All important parts to becoming part of a church family.
Organized religion has its challenges. That turns a lot of folks off, and drives them to the river on Sunday morning. Go for the message. Are you being spiritually fed on Sunday Morning? Or Sunday Evening? Or Wednesday evening? Or when ever they meet to worship? If the answer is YES, then don't worry about church politics, or what so and so said, or (you choose your excuse).
It is Sunday morning. A lot of churches are holding Worship Services this morning. Give it a try.
Here's an excuse that you can't use. "I don't have a suit, don't wear one, can't stand them." That is fine. Clothing is required at most churches. However, clothing style or fashion is NOT. Do your best to keep the mud on your boots to a minimum, but come on in. That is what is important. "I don't have any money to do that plate passing around thing." That's ok....maybe next week, or later. We want you to hear the message and be spiritually fed. Any excuse you have can most of the time be ignored. Your spiritual health and growth is what is important. Give it a try. The people are waiting and hoping to see you join with them in Worship...maybe today that will happen. Check it out.
Remember: Keep singing, Keep Praying, Keep smiling, and see you in church.
Blessings,
Gary
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Today we visit Naples fleet landing where our liberty boats tie up and let all us sailors inundate the community with our shopping and want-not activities. In the picture a cruise ship is tied up at the little pier that Naples had in 1960's. I don't know if things have changed because I haven't been back there recently! The Aircraft Carriers of today are WAY TOO Large to get up close and personal. They are most likely anchored quite a ways away. Notice the little float. That is where the boats on and off load the sailors. The little "kid guides" would always meet us at the gate for a chance to make a nickel or so per person to get us in the bars. Rough life, but they were really working hard at it, when the big Navy ships came to town.
About 45 minutes from Naples is Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and is one of the most well known ancient eruptions in the world and may have killed more than 16,000 people. Ash, mud and rocks from this eruption buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pompeii is famous for the casts the hot ash formed around victims of the eruptions. The unfortunate people suffocated on ash in the air, which then covered them and preserved amazing details of their clothing and faces. As we walked around, we were seeing amazing paintings on the walls of their homes, etc. There were signs that they were a decadent society with paintings of male and female body parts displayed. It wasn't graffiti either. Gives thought to a deviant life style for sure. The one thing that I thought was truly amazing were the ruts in the stone streets! They were deep and the ride must have been slow and bumpy! I was told they were made by the chariots. As you can see, it wasn't a smooth ride at all, and it had to take a long time to wear down those stones!
Mount Vesuvius is still hovering over the town like it is waiting for another chance. I really got a lot to think about how the ancient societies lived and worked. Of course the Roman empire with their building knowledge, and with Rome only being up the road a bit toward the north a few days ride, I think that this was very interesting in seeing first hand the marvels of their building, and the awesomeness of how nature wrecks it so easily.
Pompeii was an interesting place and I was glad I took the time to visit.
Pisa has been mentioned in previous Posts. My visit there was another "once-in-a-lifetime" event. When I was there, it was 1965 and they had the tower still open to visitors. I understand the tilt has made it unsafe for tourists, so it is closed. IF I find the picture of me on the top of the tower, I will post it. Right now I can't seem to come up with it. So these pictures will have to do. Notice the walls around the outer part of the streets surrounding the complex. There are vendors, shopkeepers, etc. selling their trinkets, etc. on weekends and holidays as the tourists are in town. The streets of Pisa are immaculately clean. No trash at all. Very nice visit. The people there were very nice. Glad I went.
We are so blessed to be living in the United States of America. We have so many resources to make our lives comfortable. Looking at foreign cities and the people that live there keeps me thinking...they are happy with what they have, which in many cases is much less than the average US citizen has.
These countries that I have seen in my blessed time of serving the United States of America and being allowed to see these wonderful Ancient cities and countries of our world. Why is it we (the USA) seem to be on a path of self destruction when we have so much to live for and have so much to share with the rest of the world. I am not talking about GIVING anything to anybody that doesn't really need it. I am talking about commerce. Trading with other countries to do business with. Countries that actually LIKE us and want to be business partners. Countries that have the same goals and dreams and respect that we have for others. People are basically all the same. It is when greed and politics get involved, is when we start to stray. It is when we allow God to be the center of our lives that we focus on each other and living in harmony that we can attain peace and happiness. Not to be pushed around, but to be understanding. For those old enough to remember, remember in the 50's when people were building businesses after World War II ended? People were being hired by these new business, and everyone was working together to make nice lives for themselves. Then Government started to get greedy and started to overstep it bounds with programs that required funding, etc. ....much against their Constitutional mandates, such as to PROTECT the STATES from outside invasion, etc. That is about all that the Federal Government was authorized to do, as I understand it. Look at where we are now with all the Fed regulations that are not even supposed to be there. I will stop now, before I get too wrapped up in the turmoil that is being created by such an overgrown and corrupted Federal government. Get us back to common sense, and get all these people back to work, off welfare, and get PRIDE and RESPECT back as a common bond between us all. That is the AMERICA that needs to be reborn. . . somehow.
Through it all . . . Keep singing, keep praying . . . and above all . . . .Keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
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| Naples, Italy fleet landing |
About 45 minutes from Naples is Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and is one of the most well known ancient eruptions in the world and may have killed more than 16,000 people. Ash, mud and rocks from this eruption buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pompeii is famous for the casts the hot ash formed around victims of the eruptions. The unfortunate people suffocated on ash in the air, which then covered them and preserved amazing details of their clothing and faces. As we walked around, we were seeing amazing paintings on the walls of their homes, etc. There were signs that they were a decadent society with paintings of male and female body parts displayed. It wasn't graffiti either. Gives thought to a deviant life style for sure. The one thing that I thought was truly amazing were the ruts in the stone streets! They were deep and the ride must have been slow and bumpy! I was told they were made by the chariots. As you can see, it wasn't a smooth ride at all, and it had to take a long time to wear down those stones! |
| Ashen person of Mont Vesuvius' wrath |
 |
| Chariot rutted road of Pompeii |
Mount Vesuvius is still hovering over the town like it is waiting for another chance. I really got a lot to think about how the ancient societies lived and worked. Of course the Roman empire with their building knowledge, and with Rome only being up the road a bit toward the north a few days ride, I think that this was very interesting in seeing first hand the marvels of their building, and the awesomeness of how nature wrecks it so easily.
Pompeii was an interesting place and I was glad I took the time to visit.
Pisa has been mentioned in previous Posts. My visit there was another "once-in-a-lifetime" event. When I was there, it was 1965 and they had the tower still open to visitors. I understand the tilt has made it unsafe for tourists, so it is closed. IF I find the picture of me on the top of the tower, I will post it. Right now I can't seem to come up with it. So these pictures will have to do. Notice the walls around the outer part of the streets surrounding the complex. There are vendors, shopkeepers, etc. selling their trinkets, etc. on weekends and holidays as the tourists are in town. The streets of Pisa are immaculately clean. No trash at all. Very nice visit. The people there were very nice. Glad I went.We are so blessed to be living in the United States of America. We have so many resources to make our lives comfortable. Looking at foreign cities and the people that live there keeps me thinking...they are happy with what they have, which in many cases is much less than the average US citizen has.
These countries that I have seen in my blessed time of serving the United States of America and being allowed to see these wonderful Ancient cities and countries of our world. Why is it we (the USA) seem to be on a path of self destruction when we have so much to live for and have so much to share with the rest of the world. I am not talking about GIVING anything to anybody that doesn't really need it. I am talking about commerce. Trading with other countries to do business with. Countries that actually LIKE us and want to be business partners. Countries that have the same goals and dreams and respect that we have for others. People are basically all the same. It is when greed and politics get involved, is when we start to stray. It is when we allow God to be the center of our lives that we focus on each other and living in harmony that we can attain peace and happiness. Not to be pushed around, but to be understanding. For those old enough to remember, remember in the 50's when people were building businesses after World War II ended? People were being hired by these new business, and everyone was working together to make nice lives for themselves. Then Government started to get greedy and started to overstep it bounds with programs that required funding, etc. ....much against their Constitutional mandates, such as to PROTECT the STATES from outside invasion, etc. That is about all that the Federal Government was authorized to do, as I understand it. Look at where we are now with all the Fed regulations that are not even supposed to be there. I will stop now, before I get too wrapped up in the turmoil that is being created by such an overgrown and corrupted Federal government. Get us back to common sense, and get all these people back to work, off welfare, and get PRIDE and RESPECT back as a common bond between us all. That is the AMERICA that needs to be reborn. . . somehow.
Through it all . . . Keep singing, keep praying . . . and above all . . . .Keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Sometimes things don't always go like they had been planned. For instance, an air craft carrier with 3,500 sailors and marines leave home port (Mayport, Florida) for a 6 month Mediterranean Cruise thinking all plans were complete and ready for smooth sailing. The year was 1964/5. The ship was the USS Shangri-la (CVA-38). Visits were made at Florence, Italy, Livorno, Italy, and close by...Pisa, Itay. Tours were offered for those that chose to take them to Munich.
Cannes, France was a port of call that was looked forward to by every sailor on board, as well. That's when the plans began to come apart. The ship was anchored about a mile off the beach at Cannes. Early Monday morning, July 12, repair of the catapult steam lines began. Those repairs required that a void (vertical space between two bulkheads used for liquid storage or ballast) be pumped dry. Unfortunately, within minutes an Engineering Officer noticed black oil coming from the ship. Although only five minutes had gone by, 3,000 gallons of black oil was in the water. To add to the emergency, it was the hight of Cannes' tourist season! 135 men were quickly organized and sent to handle the problem. The working parties sunk about half with carbonized sand. and contained the rest. The Mayor of Cannes gave the Shangri-la high accolades for their quick response. The Chief of Naval Operations praised the "prompt response and wholehearted effort to rectify a bad situation." The day had been saved and everyone went to bed tired that night.
The "Cruise of the Century" the following month brought an even worse event. We were not in a combat zone. Although, steaming in peaceful areas, there are still "tests" and "drills". It was an almost full moon night and the seas were calm. The escort ships were in anti-sub protection routine. Then the unexpected happened. 0115, August 27, the destroyer NEWMAN K. PERRY (DD-883) and the Shangri-la (CVA-38) collided about 115 miles southwest of Naples, Italy.
Life at sea is not free of danger. ANY mistake, or mis-calculation can have grave results. . . in peace or at war.
Kind of a sobering story today, but it is part of my life...which seems to be getting more and more intense! We all have our stories, and this is just one part of mine. Someone made a mistake that day. They most likely lost the career that they loved. Those that are put in positions of decision making are also responsible for those decisions....or so it used to be in those days.
Keep singing, Keep praying, and keep smiling . . .
Blessings,
Gary
Cannes, France was a port of call that was looked forward to by every sailor on board, as well. That's when the plans began to come apart. The ship was anchored about a mile off the beach at Cannes. Early Monday morning, July 12, repair of the catapult steam lines began. Those repairs required that a void (vertical space between two bulkheads used for liquid storage or ballast) be pumped dry. Unfortunately, within minutes an Engineering Officer noticed black oil coming from the ship. Although only five minutes had gone by, 3,000 gallons of black oil was in the water. To add to the emergency, it was the hight of Cannes' tourist season! 135 men were quickly organized and sent to handle the problem. The working parties sunk about half with carbonized sand. and contained the rest. The Mayor of Cannes gave the Shangri-la high accolades for their quick response. The Chief of Naval Operations praised the "prompt response and wholehearted effort to rectify a bad situation." The day had been saved and everyone went to bed tired that night.
 |
| USS Shangri-la about a mile out. Crew "sinking sand" |
The "Cruise of the Century" the following month brought an even worse event. We were not in a combat zone. Although, steaming in peaceful areas, there are still "tests" and "drills". It was an almost full moon night and the seas were calm. The escort ships were in anti-sub protection routine. Then the unexpected happened. 0115, August 27, the destroyer NEWMAN K. PERRY (DD-883) and the Shangri-la (CVA-38) collided about 115 miles southwest of Naples, Italy.
 |
| The moon at the time of the collision |
I remember that night well, as my bunk in the living spaces of the Mess Deck workers, was right next to a metal ladder/stairway leading to the hanger bay. I was awakened by the clumping of feet on the ladder, and the "bong, bong, bong, this is NOT a drill, General Quarters, General Quarters. bong, bong, bong, this is NOT a drill . . . ." I was up in a flash, dressed and at my GQ station in the aft part of the ship, ready to fight any fires or any other incident that might crop up in our area of responsibility. After spending hours at our station without anything happening, and worse, without knowing what was going on, we were released from General Quarters. We returned to our spaces and prepared ourselves for a busy day of enlightenment of what had happened.
The collision had happened in the forward, Starboard side, and created a gash that ran 20 feet below our water line and pealed the ships skin like a piece of torn paper. It entered in our storage rooms, and no one on the Shangri-la was injured. It happened to be on of my Mess supply storage rooms and was able to see the damage up close. The skin of a ship looked to me to be about 1/2" or less thickness of steel . . . Holding out all that water. Well, in this case, not so well, but I could look through the gash into the sunlight and see the Perry off at a distance. The major thing I noticed is . . . I could read the Perry's hull number from the front, as her bow was bent at a right angle!
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| USS SHANGRI-LA (CVA-38) |
The Perry, however suffered worse, as the bow of a Destroyer is paint locker space, and berthing area behind that. Two men were trapped on the Perry. A Doctor and Corpsman were transferred by helicopter to Perry. After 4 1/2 hours, the first man was freed, underwent surgery for internal injuries aboard Shangri-la and recovered. The second man was freed only after 17 hours by work of his shipmates, but died an hour and a half later.
 |
| USS NEWMAN K. PERRY (DD-883) bow number is now seen straight on. |
The Perry's bow would eventually be replaced, temporary repairs were made to the Shangri-la from the USS Shenadoah (ported in Naples) and after turnover with the USS Forrestal, headed back across the Atlantic to home.
Life at sea is not free of danger. ANY mistake, or mis-calculation can have grave results. . . in peace or at war.
Kind of a sobering story today, but it is part of my life...which seems to be getting more and more intense! We all have our stories, and this is just one part of mine. Someone made a mistake that day. They most likely lost the career that they loved. Those that are put in positions of decision making are also responsible for those decisions....or so it used to be in those days.
Keep singing, Keep praying, and keep smiling . . .
Blessings,
Gary
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Shore Patrol. That is the group of Naval Petty Officers that get to walk in circles in the "downtown" areas or as assigned, when there are other sailors or Marines enjoying themselves on what is called "Liberty". They are there for the members safety and security. When ships visit foreign ports, the visiting ship provides additional Shore Patrol assistance to the permanent assigned detail.
When an air craft carrier comes into ANY port of call, there is a mass of additional people thrust on the local businesses and entertainment places. In addition to the military people there are civilians that come into town to get a little piece of the fiscal action, because we all know. . . sailors spend money. In relationship to the local wage earner, it is a LOT of money. With the mass of people, and the excitement of the sometimes exotic location, there is chaos!
When the carrier is anchored and liberty call is sounded, the liberty boats are filled with anxious to get on solid ground, men (and now, women as well). At the fleet landing (which is where the boats pull up to, to discharge or pick up their loads) the sailors and marines are greeted with a bunch of ltttle KIDS! They are perhaps 12-15...hard to tell really, with the culture of the area. They are yelling at you something like this: "Hey Joe! I can take you to a great place to have a drink, show you a good time!", or some such message in the lingo of the area. Then off they go to do their shopping, drinking, exploring, etc. with their sailor(s) in tow. To be fair, MOST of the visiting military by-pass the little folk, but they are there. I saw them in Naples, Italy and all our ports of call on our Med. Cruise. It was like they traveled with the ship! This is important, because I will be mentioning them again later.
The Ship was my second Essex Class Air Craft Carrier of my career. It was the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). By this time I was a First Class Petty Officer (E6) and was the Print Shop Supervisor. I was temporarily assigned for the evening, Shore Patrol duty. Having reported in to the SP Shack on the pier, I was assigned to a four man team of an LT, 2nd Class and a 3rd Class PO. Our area was the Downtown Entertainment area of Victoria City on the Island of Hong Kong. Most folks think the city is Hong Kong, but it is the ISLAND. the picture below is NOT the Hong Kong Island of today. This had lots of open land. I really think it has built up since 1970.
On our four block beat, included numerous bars, and a couple of Opium Dens. We were not allowed to enter any establishment unless invited by the person in charge of that place. During our roving patrol we walked by the opium dens with the front door open and darkness inside with just a bit of light to see what looked like bunk beds and beady eyes. Was rather unnerving for a stranger in town. On one of our many trips around in circles, a man came running out jabbering and grabbing at the LT's arm for us to come into his place. Seemed something was amiss. As we entered, we saw the focus of his concern. A very large sailor has passed out on his bar. Well, he was still sitting on his now rather wet bar stool, but, due to his hight, was still sprawled out on the bar, and the owner wanted him gone. As we looked at each other, there seemed to be a standoff on WHO was going to wake this giant. We called the perm. shore patrol team. Shortly four sailors with chrome helmets came in and the shortest of them walked up to the giant, took his finger and woke him up right nicely. They ushered him out and took him back to the fleet landing to send him back to the safety of his ship.
Later on in the evening, our team had strung itself out over a half a block, and I as a faster walker was, of course, at the head of the pack. Approaching one of our "turns" at a four lane busy downtown street, I was a sailor being beaten up on the other side of the street. I let out a holler and started running, unslinging my night stick, dodging traffic. There were four men beating up on one of ours. All of a sudden about half way across, I realized I was the only one running! "Oh, I hope they run away", was my first thought. I was NOT a fighter....never been in a fight in my entire life! As it turned out, God was good! He made them bad guys slink back into the basement bar they came out of, before I got there. I would have hated to have had to hit them with my stick! ha ha As it turned out, the rest of my team DID start running after seeing me take off and the LT called it in to the Perm. Party SP unit. As I was checking out the "beatee", my team caught up with me and shortly the Perm. SP's arrived. Off they went into the bar and a SP van came by and loaded the bad guys in (they were from one of the ships in port), the guy that was beaten up got loaded into another vehicle and taken to get fixed up and sent back to his ship as well. Shortly after that event, our shift was over. Hong Kong was now seen in a new light for me. I understand since my days there, it has really changed...don't know if that is for the good or not.
What was interesting is the KIDS! Those little boys that always met the sailors as they arrived to the fleet landing getting off their ships for liberty? Yup.....I could swear that those kids that greeted us so enthusiastically in Italy, France and Spain, were the same ones in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines! Haven't ever been able to figure that one out.
Point of the story: Where ever you go, expect an adventure, and you will never be disappointed. If given an opportunity to do something you haven't done before....take it. Life is really a very short time, and to live it fully, you are going to need stories to tell. I am living proof of that. My point is that it is even greater if the stories you tell are acceptable to be told without embarrassment! ha ha I do know that God was with me on every step I took and everywhere I went....and THAT was reassuring.
Keep singing, Keep smiling, and Keep exploring life, it is GREAT...you just have to enjoy it!
Blessings,
Gary
When an air craft carrier comes into ANY port of call, there is a mass of additional people thrust on the local businesses and entertainment places. In addition to the military people there are civilians that come into town to get a little piece of the fiscal action, because we all know. . . sailors spend money. In relationship to the local wage earner, it is a LOT of money. With the mass of people, and the excitement of the sometimes exotic location, there is chaos!
When the carrier is anchored and liberty call is sounded, the liberty boats are filled with anxious to get on solid ground, men (and now, women as well). At the fleet landing (which is where the boats pull up to, to discharge or pick up their loads) the sailors and marines are greeted with a bunch of ltttle KIDS! They are perhaps 12-15...hard to tell really, with the culture of the area. They are yelling at you something like this: "Hey Joe! I can take you to a great place to have a drink, show you a good time!", or some such message in the lingo of the area. Then off they go to do their shopping, drinking, exploring, etc. with their sailor(s) in tow. To be fair, MOST of the visiting military by-pass the little folk, but they are there. I saw them in Naples, Italy and all our ports of call on our Med. Cruise. It was like they traveled with the ship! This is important, because I will be mentioning them again later.
The Ship was my second Essex Class Air Craft Carrier of my career. It was the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). By this time I was a First Class Petty Officer (E6) and was the Print Shop Supervisor. I was temporarily assigned for the evening, Shore Patrol duty. Having reported in to the SP Shack on the pier, I was assigned to a four man team of an LT, 2nd Class and a 3rd Class PO. Our area was the Downtown Entertainment area of Victoria City on the Island of Hong Kong. Most folks think the city is Hong Kong, but it is the ISLAND. the picture below is NOT the Hong Kong Island of today. This had lots of open land. I really think it has built up since 1970.
 |
| 1970 Victoria City, Hong Kong |
On our four block beat, included numerous bars, and a couple of Opium Dens. We were not allowed to enter any establishment unless invited by the person in charge of that place. During our roving patrol we walked by the opium dens with the front door open and darkness inside with just a bit of light to see what looked like bunk beds and beady eyes. Was rather unnerving for a stranger in town. On one of our many trips around in circles, a man came running out jabbering and grabbing at the LT's arm for us to come into his place. Seemed something was amiss. As we entered, we saw the focus of his concern. A very large sailor has passed out on his bar. Well, he was still sitting on his now rather wet bar stool, but, due to his hight, was still sprawled out on the bar, and the owner wanted him gone. As we looked at each other, there seemed to be a standoff on WHO was going to wake this giant. We called the perm. shore patrol team. Shortly four sailors with chrome helmets came in and the shortest of them walked up to the giant, took his finger and woke him up right nicely. They ushered him out and took him back to the fleet landing to send him back to the safety of his ship.
 |
| Wan Chi district Victoria City, Hong Kong |
What was interesting is the KIDS! Those little boys that always met the sailors as they arrived to the fleet landing getting off their ships for liberty? Yup.....I could swear that those kids that greeted us so enthusiastically in Italy, France and Spain, were the same ones in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines! Haven't ever been able to figure that one out.
Point of the story: Where ever you go, expect an adventure, and you will never be disappointed. If given an opportunity to do something you haven't done before....take it. Life is really a very short time, and to live it fully, you are going to need stories to tell. I am living proof of that. My point is that it is even greater if the stories you tell are acceptable to be told without embarrassment! ha ha I do know that God was with me on every step I took and everywhere I went....and THAT was reassuring.
Keep singing, Keep smiling, and Keep exploring life, it is GREAT...you just have to enjoy it!
Blessings,
Gary
Monday, April 1, 2013
.jpeg) |
| USS Shangri-la (CVA-38) |
Things went along very well, as I was actually enjoying my administrative type work. ALL of it was below decks however, and rarely had an opportunity to go above decks and get any sunshine, not realizing this was going to be a problem later. A month or so into my new job, the ship paid a visit to Marseille, France for a port of call. We were there for about four days or so, can't really remember, but will tell you why in a moment. About 20 miles outside of the city, there was an Army Post that had sea side recreation facilities that included a beach, floats to swim to, in-board runabout boats to water ski behind and the normal other recreational accommodations to wet your whistle, fill your culinary needs, etc. So when I heard about this, I was the first one at the head of the liberty line at 9 in the morning, heading out to a day of Mediterranean Sea adventure. I spent the day water skiing, sunning on the floats, soaking up the sun. About 1400 (two o'clock p.m.) I saw some of my friends from the Print Shop sitting on the beach, and went over to visit. As I was standing there talking with them, I began to notice my skin tightening up around my shoulders. Having only my swim trunks on, this was not a good feeling with all my skin tightening. I told the guys, I may be sun burnt and should be heading back to the ship. This was when it was a good thing I wore a short sleeve shirt instead of my Navy White Bib top. I could not raise my arms high enough to put my t-shirt on, so had to painfully just wear my button Short Sleeve Uniform shirt. The pain was starting to get worse and by the time I reached the ships boat landing, I was having major challenges containing the hurt. I ended up crouching in the shade of the the tent waiting for the ships liberty boat to arrive. A ship as large as an air craft carrier always "parks" about a mile offshore where it is deep enough and safe enough, with all the ammunitions and explosives they carry, which requires a liberty boat to shuttle the sailors to and from the ship.
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| Liberty Call - USS Shangri-la (CVA-38) |
The Navy justice/disciplinary procedures are pretty strict. The Captain of the ship is the chief judge and holds your world in his hands. Since I was missing for four days and hadn't reported in to anyone when my liberty was over, I was in trouble. The charge was Absent Without Leave. To this day, I don't know why ONE of my friends didn't mention that I was down in the berthing compartment! The first step was to be screened by the Executive Officer. It was his job to weed out the "unworthy" cases that the Captain shouldn't be wasting his time with, and give to him the "hard case" individuals. After standing before the XO (Executive Officer) with the Supply officer and Mess Deck Master-at-Arms (my boss) on my right, and the Ships Secretary (responsible for the print shop) and the print shop supervisor on my left, answering questions and giving character reviews on my work ethic, etc. the XO asked me two pointed questions. "What did you do?" and after that answer, "I don't think you will do that again, will you?" To which my answer was "No Sir!" He dismissed my case and I went back to work. I seemed like weeks before my blisters finally disappeared. Dodged that bullet, and thankfully, that was the only time in my 30 + years of Active and Reserve Service that I ever experienced what the Legal and Disciplinary Office folks do.
Since then, I have been very susceptible to sunburn, so try to stay out of it as much as possible. Consequently, I don't wear shorts around people much. The bright whiteness of my legs will damage any retina that sees them. It is just as well. No one needs that image blazed in their brain.
The point of this story: There is NO point. Just a reminiscent journey in my life. If there was a point, it may be: learn your lessons, and stay out of the sun AND out of trouble. I really don't know what the attraction for leathery, brown skin is all about to begin with. Those of us who are of Irish, English and French descent were not designed to have a tan colored skin. It don't tan well. Right up to the end of my day at the beach was WONDERFUL though. Water skiing in the exotic Mediterranean Sea was an experience not everyone has, and for that I am grateful. The military service does provide an amount of travel that sometimes are really fantastic opportunities to see places not normally available to the common person. We will visit some more exotic places and experiences in later stories. Until then,
Keep singing, Keep laughing, Keep praying . . . God likes that.
Blessings,
Gary
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Happy Easter
Indeed, this is the day that the Lord has made! It is the Christian High Holy Day of the year, along with Christmas. Jesus Christ was born in the Advent Season which is in the Fall and Easter is celebrated in the spring, in the Church Season of Lent. We celebrate Easter because Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of man. The reason being is because God our Heavenly Father sent him for the benefit of mankind to be redeemed so that we could all, through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord, Redeemer and Savior, live life eternal in the Glory of God.
I realize to some it is a hard concept to understand. My words to those are "It is not of our understanding but of our faith." It is impossible to understand God's purposes and who's and how's and why's of His thoughts. Through faith we come into a communion of conversation with God, with the right spirit our fears are calmed, and our joy is expanded. In understanding that it was God who sent His only Son to take the sins of mankind away, and to allow us, as unworthy as the best of us are, and the impossibility of the worst sinners to be justified in God's eyes to spend eternity in the presence of God. This is the whole purpose that God had for Jesus Christ. What a gift we have been given, and what a relief to know we have now have, in spite of our evilness and unworthiness, we can, through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, be with God when our time is over on earth . . . or Jesus returns . . . whichever comes first!
There are so many stories to be told, so many songs to be sung, all praising His name and goodness. What a wonderful future we have and it is all because God loved us so much that he gave us his ONLY Son. I love this time of year because the message is being stronger and more pointed through movies and TV miniseries and TV programing that involves the Story of Jesus and his sacrifice. One of those miniseries this year is the on the History channel and will be coming out on DVD this Tuesday. I will be getting that one for sure. The songs have been sung through this season, and especially through Holy Week. The greatest one for me is the Song "HE LIVES", because to me, that is what this is all about.
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| He lives, He lives. Christ Jesus lives today! |
Easter is NOT about Easter eggs, candy, Easter baskets, and fancy clothes. That is commercial stuff. It is about your salvation, and how Jesus paid the price of our sins. So if you are disheartened, REJOYCE because HE LIVES! Christ has cheated death and has gone home to prepare for us a place, a mansion of many rooms. Look it up...it is in the Bible. That book explains it all.
Visit a church in your neighborhood and ask a Pastor about this "Resurrection Story".
Blessings,
Gary
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