Some days when he thinks about each and every one of them no longer in service it makes him feel old. Even his rate of BT (boiler technician) no longer exists.
First is the USS Proteus. He was part if Operation New Life while stationed on this ship in the 1970's.
Next is the Norton Sound. This was the ship he was serving on when we met.
When Jim was serving on the USS Pyro we went through our first WestPac. A WestPac is an extended cruise of the Western Pacific that lasts about 8 months give or take a bit. My brothers joined him for a tiger cruise from Hawaii to California.
Below is the McKee. Jim is or was a plank owner of this ship. That means he was a member on the original crew. He became a chief while serving here.
Jim served on the Henry B. Wilson in the 1980's. I got to go on a one day dependents cruise on this ship and even sit in the captain's chair on the bridge for awhile at the captain's invitation. I guess that chair is kind of a sacred place so the invitation was unusual.
The last ship in Jim's career was the Duluth. Our son was able to join his dad on a tiger cruise on this ship. Jim served as Command Master Chief and he retired from the Navy in a ceremony on her deck after 20 years, 3 months and 1 day.
To my husband and hero, thank you for your service. To all who have served or are serving in any branch thank you.
What an amazing set of photos, and wow what an interesting career and post. Thank you from us to you!
ReplyDeleteMy veteran is my husband Joe who served in the Air Force before we met. My brother George served in the Army for 10 years.
My Dad was a Merchant Marine in the Greek military as a young man. Being a Greek citizen meant serving in the military was a must. This was back in the late 50's and 60's. Anyhow so all the photos I have of him of his teenage and twenties were of him as part of the crew, as later on in life as the Captain when he owned his own ships and steamship company. So I really enjoyed your post. :)