A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “Stay away from negative people; they have a problem for every solution.”?
2. In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “The old ways are sometimes the best.”?
3. Who sang (and what song) the following lyrics?
   See the tree, how big it’s grown But friend it hasn’t been too long
   It wasn’t big
   I laughed at her and she got mad, The first day that she planted it
   Was just a twig
   Then the first snow came and she ran out To brush the snow away
   So it wouldn’t die
   Came runnin’ in all excited, Slipped and almost hurt herself
   And I laughed till I cried

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In my last blog (“Blog #115—Never Forget…,” posted April 12), I wrote about my father’s experience in April 1945… during World War II… when his division (80th Infantry Division) came across several concentration camps in Germany. A gruesome discovery, to say the least, but it’s one of those things that veterans never forget, nor should they.

This week, a little lighter post. Meaningful, at least, to me.

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I recently attended my first “Book Festival” as an author.

I’ve written several books, self-published most of them, but since the exhibit “booth” (i.e., a shared table) was only $25, I figured I’d take a chance and see what hawking my books might bring.

First, let me share that I casually “mentioned” on my social media sites that “if I can sell just 12 more books, then my CPA tells me I can retire.” That was a weak attempt at humor, since I’m already retired (at least, today).

I’ll be honest… it’s a good thing I’m already retired because I didn’t sell nearly enough books to meet that goal.

I had a great time, though. The Sunshine State Book Festival had been postponed twice because of COVID. But the organizers rescheduled it at the local Gainesville Mall. Over the six hours I had my booth set up, I think it was a decent turnout—probably 50-60 people stopped by: some to browse, others to chat. But my booth buddy told me, it was a “bust.”

Regardless, I met many people, most of whom were also veterans. Several were Navy veterans. Lo-and-behold, three of them had also been stationed in Guam—a few years after my time (’73-75). Nonetheless, we reminisced about NAS Agana, Guam, downtown Agana, the enlisted men’s club on base, and numerous other “adventures” we shared while on Guam, both on base as well as outside. We all agreed it was a great duty station.

I also met several Vietnam War veterans—both Army and Marine. A couple of them took the time to share a few in-country experiences. Even though I’ve never set foot in Vietnam, there was definitely a connection between us veterans.

Service & Discharge

I spent four years in the Navy with two (or three, if you count the shipyards) tours. My first was NAS Agana, Guam, where I worked with Crash & Rescue. I was in Guam for 15 months, the longest time I’d ever spent away from home. At the tender age of 18, I was just learning how the world worked, and enlisting in the Navy was by far the best decision I’d ever made.

After Guam, I transferred to an aircraft carrier and spent 2½ years aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). I worked on the flight deck in V-1 Division. When I first arrived, Lt. Robert Leone, the V-1 Division Officer, assigned me to Crash & Salvage, headed up by the Air Bos’n, CWO2 Tyrone Robuck. I arrived in March 1975, close to the “official” end of the Vietnam War. We left in May for the six-month Westpac ’75 cruise.

After returning to the states in December 1975, I went home for a brief Christmas vacation, then drove back from Florida to San Diego with my good friends Brack Barker & John Sideris. Kitty Hawk moved to the Bremerton Shipyards in March 1976 for a one-year overhaul, retrofitting for the new F-14 Tomcat fighters and the new S-3 Viking ASW jets. There were also a few other modifications made, but that year in Bremerton was also a great year for me.

When we returned to San Diego, I transferred from Crash to Fly3 to become a Yellow Shirt director (#36). That was just as fun, if not more challenging, than working with Crash.

Long story short, I left Kitty Hawk on July 8, 1977, after spending Three Years, Eleven Months, and 29 Days in the Navy (I actually wrote a book with that title).

I can honestly tell you that when I walked off Kitty Hawk’s afterbrow in San Diego that hot July day, I was done with the Navy, done with the ship, and ready to move on to my next “journey.”

At the time, I didn’t really “feel” like a veteran, other than someone who’d spent 4 years in the service. I did, however, take advantage of the GI Bill, which helped me finish college. I applied for, but apparently didn’t need, a VA mortgage loan. I’m sure there were other veteran benefits available back then, but I didn’t take advantage of them.

Hiring Veterans

After college and after a few years in the work force, I started my own computer consulting business. I think it was during those years (I was in my early 30s) that I began to not only respect other veterans but also realize there were many veterans out there who’d put in more time and in many cases, experienced more “challenges” than I did during my short 4-year Navy career.

As a legal technology consultant, I met many lawyers who were also veterans. After their service, they returned to finish college, like I did, but became lawyers, like my father did after WWII.

I almost immediately experienced that mutual respect that most veterans have for other veterans. Even though we may have served in different branches, all of us experienced boot camp and additional training. Some went to war, others did not. But we all served our country.

When I became a “manager,” (whatever that is), I may have been a little biased in my hiring practices. I’d typically spend more time interviewing a veteran than others. Again, it may have been a little prejudiced, but I thought that if I were in their shoes, looking for a position, either entry-level or skilled, then I’d want the person hiring me to know I served.

It may not have been a big deal to others, but it was to me.

Yes, I’ll admit that sometimes I hired a veteran who didn’t work out like I’d hoped, but I never looked back on that decision.

When I was consulting with lawyers, I’d often seek out anyone who served, just to share a few stories. It was a connection… or a “bond.”

I always told firms that hired me two things: one, I was a truly independent consultant, meaning I didn’t make any commission or referral fees by my recommendations (computer hardware, software, or services) and two, if they hired me as a consultant and didn’t like my recommendations they could fire me… I still had a job.

The Confidence of a Veteran…

I have a good friend, who I didn’t know during my time in the Navy. But it turns out when I first met him, he’d just retired as a Captain from a naval career and was the Executive Director of a large law firm in Florida. He’d been a Navy pilot and actually had a few recoveries aboard Kitty Hawk. After interviewing with him at the firm, he hired me as a consultant.

Several years later, he’d transferred to another firm in Maine (from Florida to Maine… who’d a thunk?) He called me in again to help with his firm, where he was the Executive Director.

Several years after that, he’d again transferred to another large firm in West Virginia. Again, I spent time with him and the firm as a consultant.

And… one more…

When I “retired” from UFLaw (Legal Technology Institute), he asked if I might be interested in becoming the West Virginia firm’s CIO (Chief Information Officer).

Let me pause here for a quick moment.

In my 25 years consulting with over 300 law firms around the country, a few “offered” me a position as the IT Director or IT Manager. I’d come home and, over dinner, ask my wife, “What would you think if we moved to Chicago… or New York… or Boston… or Raleigh?”

Each time it was, thanks, but no.

Imagine the dinner conversation Becky & I had when I came home and asked, “What would you think of moving to West Virginia?”

Long story short, we spent four awesome years in West Virginia. A great law firm and experience for me. The firm grew from 220 to 350 attorneys, from 10 offices in 4 states to 15 in 6 states, and an IT department from 12 staff to 25. One of my greatest “journeys.”

We loved our time there as well as the state and took advantage of living in four seasons. Keep in mind, Florida has two: “green and brown.”

And yes, while at the firm, I hired veterans, some of which are still there (I left in 2015).

Veteran Respect

Like many of my “baby boomer” friends, my father served during World War II in Europe, as did my wife’s father. Both were officers. My dad was a mortar platoon leader in a Heavy Weapons company (317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division). My father-in-law was in the 82nd Airborne Division and dropped into Normandy on D-Day. I’ve written several blogs about them both.

Those were my immediate ties to the Army… at that time.

I’ve attended several reunions of the 80th Division Veterans Association and the 507th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Getting to know my dad’s buddies and my FIL’s buddies was a special treat for me and one that I’ll never forget.

During one of reunions, I witnessed the Army Ranger Graduation Ceremony at Fort Benning, GA. Watching the demonstrations, especially those involving rappelling down a four-story wall with a wounded soldier was amazing.

Even more amazing, I watched a helo pick up four Rangers, all “hooked in,” and hauled away… while dangling from a rope.

I discovered a new set of heroes.

Sure, we banter around and joke between the branches… heck, I even slip in a few Navy, Army, & Marine jokes on my “Navy Friday Funny” posts. But in the long run, I respect all who served. It was a commitment we made, though I know some of my high school friends in the early ‘70s were drafted and didn’t really have a choice.

Even so, there’s an unwritten respect.

A Personal Memory…

There was that time… years ago… when I first arrived onboard Kitty Hawk.

During my first at sea period out on the flight deck, I still wore my blue utilities. Everyone else wore GI trousers. I learned the hard lesson about oils, fuels, and dirt on the flight deck, especially during flight ops.

My good friend, Smitty walked me over to a warehouse on the San Diego pier after coming back into port.

Inside were dozens of pallets of neatly stacked green GI shirts and trousers, all laid out by size. I picked out several pairs of trousers, thanked the supply sergeant, and walked out. It wasn’t until I got back onto the flight deck, wearing my new trousers, when Smitty & Mac let me know what an honor it was to wear the uniform of a fallen warrior.

I had no clue, but after that… my respect-o-meter for Vietnam veterans shot through the roof.

I’m At That Age…

I feel this veteran bond is stronger now than ever before.

This “bond” is something you can’t see or hear or touch. It comes from your heart, your emotions, your feelings. When I see a fellow veteran wearing a ball cap, I look twice to see if it’s Navy and if so, what ship. If it’s Army, I still make eye contact and express my respect.

I don’t dare to compare my experiences with others. But sometimes others want to share their memories and, to be honest, I’m okay with that.

While we may try to forget, we realize we’ll never forget. That’s the “Bond.”

Kitty Hawk 2022 Reunion

In early June, a bunch of us Kitty Hawk veterans will gather in San Diego to reminisce, share old stories (some true… some not-so-true), and renew acquaintances. I only know a few of these guys, but I feel like I know them all. I’ve probably met a few during previous reunions—either the bi-annual reunion, the decommission ceremony or the smaller get-togethers.

We’re all birds of a feather, so to speak. The main commonality is that even though we came from different parts of the country, different backgrounds, and served different years, we were all “raised” by the same noble lady: USS Kitty Hawk.

We shared many of the same experiences, different times and different places, but we all have the same types of memories.

At the end of the reunion, when we “walk off the afterbrow & salute the flag,” so to speak, we’ll return to our normal lives. But I, for one, know I’ll be enriched by those few days spent with fellow shipmates.

Until we meet again,
Andy

Answers

1. Albert Einstein.
2. Skyfall (2012), Kincade (Albert Finney).
3. Honey (1968), Bobby Goldsboro; written by Bobby Russell

Previous posts mentioned in this blog:

• #115—Never Forget…
• #53—You Always Remember Your First…
• #67—Flight Ops: A Day in the Life of Crash & Salvage
• #25 “Livin’ the Dream:” Life Aboard an Aircraft Carrier
• #30—USS Kitty Hawk @ Bremerton Shipyards, Part 1
• #42—The Shipyards, Part 2
• #68—Flight Ops: Another Fine Day in the Navy!
• #31—USS Kitty Hawk, CV-63 Decommission
• #95—Birds of a Feather…

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Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran’s Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans and their families. Download your FREE copy HERE.

If you’ve had the chance to read NEVER FORGET, I would greatly appreciate if you might take a few minutes and leave a (hopefully favorable) review on Amazon. Here’s the direct link: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Forget-Veterans-Redemption-Forgiveness/dp/1736387804/