A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “If you live to be a hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus one day, so that I never have to live a day without you.”?
2. Who said, “The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.”?
3. Who said, “Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new favorite day.”?

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The conversation started with, “It’s just a number…”

Birthdays & Anniversaries

I’ll be 70 years old later this year. Like many of my “seasoned” colleagues and shipmates, birthdays are sometimes just another day in the year. One that I’ll celebrate, of course, but not like I did when I was a kid. Instead of crayons (no, I’m not a Marine) and coloring books, or balloons and presents, or toys to play with, I’m now more into “consumable” gifts, like chocolate and booze.

My dad died too young at the age of 68 (five days before his 69th birthday). I passed that “milestone” this past year. My mom passed away a few years later at 72. That’s my next birthday milestone.

Yeah, 70 is up there for sure, but it’s just a number.

My “plan” is to live long enough to attend my daughter’s third child’s high school graduation. Her first child was born just this past year. So, I’ve got some time; that is, if we follow my plan. Of course, I know God may have other plans.

My wife & I celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary this past week: another important number.

It was March 21, 1981, the first day of spring. Gorgeous time in Gainesville, Florida with blooming azaleas and dogwoods, cool & clear weather – the kind of day my mom would call, “a champagne day.” You don’t forget anniversaries and they’re equally important. It may just be a number, but I always ask myself… is it?

This year’s anniversary was a little different and I hesitate to even mention it in this post. But last year at this time—the day after we celebrated our 42nd anniversary, my wife was diagnosed with a cancerous mass in her abdomen. She’s fine now, thanks to modern robot-assisted surgery, a phenomenal group of doctors and nurses, a very talented surgeon, and our wonderful supportive family and friends. I blogged about the event last year, but what stands out to me is Becky left the hospital a day after major surgery. Let me repeat that… she walked out of the hospital the day after surgery.

But boy… those few months (March through May) remain a blur. Someone wise once said, “Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.”

We embrace each day, celebrating life and love.

Dates & Numbers

There are also certain dates—numbers—that remain etched in my mind.

December 7 (“A date which will live in infamy”) and June 6 (D-Day). While I obviously didn’t participate in World War II, my dad did. He was attending The Citadel in Charleston, SC when he first heard the news of the Pearl Harbor attack.

From my book, “You Can’t Get Much Closer Than This: Combat with the 80th ‘Blue Ridge’ Division in World War II Europe” (2005):

I think I first learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor late in the afternoon. Most cadets were sleeping or listening to music on the radio when the reports started coming in. “Pearl Harbor bombed” and “Japanese attack the Philippines.” Word traveled fast through The Citadel. At first, we thought the stories were rumors or somebody’s idea of a joke. Soon, our worst fears proved to be true: Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. Thousands of innocent men and women lost their lives protecting our country. That night we marched to supper chanting “Beat Japan” to the rhythm of the old Bulldog cadence.

Another date that sticks in my mind is 9/11.

Again, an unprovoked attack on our country. I was in Saint Paul, Minnesota, at a legal technology conference, slated for a panel discussion first thing on that fateful Tuesday morning. I woke up to the news that one of the World Trade Center towers was hit by an aircraft. At first, I thought it might have been a sight-seeing plane flying in fog. But then, like so many others, I watched in horror as another aircraft plunged into the second tower.

Needless to say, we were all shocked. The conference continued—there was nothing any of us could do. I vaguely remember beginning my presentation with a moment of silence—I couldn’t think of anything else.

Because the airports were closed, I waited several days before I could fly home. I finally climbed aboard an aircraft and sat next to a Delta pilot in uniform who caught the flight home. He fell asleep shortly after takeoff. I figured if he wasn’t worried, I wouldn’t be.

That’s a number I’ll never forget.

Navy Numbers

While the number 163 may not mean much to others, it means a lot to me and 79 of my newest Navy brothers. That was my boot camp (Orlando RTC) company number. At the tender age of 18, I enlisted for four years, July 1973 through July 1977. ADJ1 Louis Wright was our Company Commander. At that time, there was only one CC for 80 new recruits in a company. Now, I believe there are two or three CCs for a training company.

During my time in the Navy, I had two duty stations (three, if you count the shipyards). My first was NAS Agana, Guam. I worked in the Crash & Rescue Division. I was in Guam for 15 months and we worked 24-hour shifts: Port & Starboard. I was in the Port section. I learned a lot about my rating (Aviation Boatswains Mate-Handler) as well as living in the barracks—renovated World War II barracks. Four of us shared one room. That would change at my next duty station as I shared the same berthing compartment with 80 others.

Another number close to my heart is 63.

My second duty station was aboard an aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). I made the ’75 Westpac cruise with her, working in V-1 Division / Crash on the flight deck. After the cruise, we spent a year in the Bremerton Shipyards. When we returned to North Island (San Diego), I transferred from Crash to Fly 3 as a Yellow Shirt director.

I loved both my jobs (Crash & Aircraft Director). Those were exciting times and working on the flight deck during flight ops… well, let’s just say I only experienced the same adrenaline rush a few times while working as a firefighter with the City of Gainesville.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. Kitty Hawk was not just a ship. She was my home for 2 1/2 years. I made a lot of friends over those few years. We’ve lost a few, but such is life.

Kitty Hawk was decommissioned on January 31, 2009 in Bremerton, Washington. Over 2,000 former shipmates, crew members, guests, and distinguished visitors attended the ceremony. I wasn’t going to miss that opportunity. It was the first time I had seen Kitty Hawk in over thirty years. It was quite an emotional experience for this sailor as I climbed the after brow, onto the aircraft elevator, then into the huge hangar bay. Lots of memories came flooding back to me, both the good and the not-so-good. 

So yeah, 63 is more than just a number to me and Kitty Hawk is more than just a ship. It was a time in my life where I had a sense of purpose, as we veterans often call it. It was the major building block that shaped my life. I know I’m not the only one.

Winding Down

My Marine Vietnam Veteran friend, Ernie, always says, “I’m in a footrace with the Lord.” I certainly understand his meaning—I have more aches and pains these days, even though I practice Yoga, exercise regularly, and try to eat healthy. I don’t drink as much as I did back in my Navy days… that’s a good thing.

The older I get, I find I want to do more things like spend time with family, travel, and continue my volunteer efforts. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but I do know what I can do today.

Live, love, and enjoy life!

Until we meet again,
Andy

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

Answers

1. Winnie the Pooh.
2. Winnie the Pooh.
3. Winnie the Pooh.

Previous blogs mentioned in this post:

• #47—An Unexpected and Unwanted Journey
• #4—From Civilian to US Navy
• #53—You Always Remember Your First
• #49—Westpac ’75: After Six Months, We’re Coming Home
• #47—Memorable “Moments,” Part 1–The Flight Deck
• #30—USS Kitty Hawk @ Bremerton Shipyards, Part 1
• #42—The Shipyards, Part 2
• #68—Flight Ops: Another Fine Day in the Navy!
• #26—That Adrenaline Rush
• #48—Not Just Another House Fire