A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.”?
2. In what movie/show did we hear, “I love meeting people’s moms. It’s like reading an instruction manual on why they’re nuts.”?
3. What song, and who sang it, did we hear:
   Last Christmas
   I gave you my heart
   But the very next day, you gave it away
   This year
   To save me from tears
   I’ll give it to someone special

By the time you read this blog post, I’ll have just turned a young 71 years old. I don’t know about you, but when I make another trip around the sun, I count my many blessings … multiple times.

Even though I left the Navy in July 1977 after four years (actually, Three Years, eleven months, & 29 Days—But Who’s Counting), there are many things that stayed with me.

They say you can take the man out of the Navy, but you can’t take the Navy out of the man.

Besides some of the “salty” language I picked up, there are a few more things that stuck with me.

Feeling a gust of wind – bow flying

Periodically, I’ll be outside, either working in the yard or taking a walk, when a slight gust of wind hits me. Many times—especially if it’s a continuous gust—I’ll close my eyes and remember those days on the flight deck, up near the bow, sixty feet above the water, standing with several other airdales and “bow flying.”

I tried explaining that to my wife and kids early on, but once the movie Titanic came out and … you know the scene … Jack & Rose on the bow, they finally “got it.” It’s not the same as I remembered on the flight deck, but still, it gave them some idea of what I was talking about.

When we go on a cruise (whether ocean cruise or river cruise), I’ll be on the top deck much of the time, mostly up toward the bow. It provides a few glimpses of fond memories of my time aboard Kitty Hawk.

Smell of jet fuel – airports

There’s no way I can be in and around an airport without smelling jet fuel. Back in my day during the mid-70s, Kitty Hawk’s squadrons used JP-4, JP-5, and aviation gasoline for various aircraft. Whether you’re in the airport parking lot or walking the jetway to board, the smell permeates the air.

Even though I may be lugging baggage, I still remember those days on the flight deck … standing behind the JBD (Jet Blast Deflector), with an F-4 Phantom, an A-7 Corsair, an A-6 Intruder, or an A-3 Whale at full power (sometimes in afterburners), and “watching” the fumes flow over the JBD, hoping it holds until lowered by the JBD operator.

Otherwise, it could be, “Hasta la vista, Chet.”

Sound of helicopters

I’m sure I’m not the only one who can tell by sound the difference between a civilian helicopter and a military helicopter.

Most of the ones I was around during my time in the service (’73-77) were the SH-3 Sea King helos, a few CH-47 Chinooks and CH-46 Sea Knights. The latter two were used primarily for transferring goods during a Vertical Replenishment.

Most of the ones that fly over my house are hospital air care helos and a few other civilian helos. Periodically, we’ll see a military helicopter flying through the airspace. But there is a distinct sound, more of a heavy “thump thump” sound.

Geez, I sound like I’m talking to my 2-year-old grandson.

Some of my Army & Marine fellow veterans also notice these helo sounds. Sometimes … it brings back experiences they’d rather not remember.

I certainly understand.

Folding my clothes

Yes, I still fold my T-shirts and skivvies the same way as I did in boot camp. I’ll admit it … I’m “old school Navy.”

One thing I’ve found helpful when I travel, though. Instead of folding the “old-fashioned way,” I roll my clothes. That way, I can fit more clothes into my carry-on (I hate checking bags on flights) and have room for a few more souvenirs.

Back in the Navy days, we ironed our uniforms as well as our utilities. I personally didn’t mind—it gave me a few moments of peace … doing something monotonous. Even when I left the Navy and worked for the fire department, I still ironed my uniforms. My wife once asked if I wanted her to iron and I simply said, “Thanks, but I’m the one who wears them.”

But these days? No ironing needed, and to tell you the truth, that’s fine by me.

Sound of sirens

I can usually tell the difference between an ambulance siren, a police/sheriff siren, and a fire engine siren. Why, pray tell, do I mention this?

Maybe it’s because I was a firefighter for six-plus years: four years in the Navy as a Crash crewman and 2½ years as a city firefighter.

That adrenaline rush always stays with you, and when I hear or see a first responder heading down the road, I can instantly transport myself back to the time when I was that first responder.

It’s one of those things that never leave you. While I loved being a firefighter, I hated seeing the damage fires do.

Crossing the street – head on a swivel

When you work on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, you have to keep your head on a swivel. There’s so much going on during flight operations that you can easily get blown down by an aircraft’s jet exhaust without knowing what hit you.

And yes… I’ve been blown down several times. Most of the time, fellow Yellow Shirts will “see” it before the turning aircraft and warn you over the headset radio: “Chet, drop down.” In which case, you have two choices: one, save yourself and drop down like you’ve been warned, or two, look around to see who said it. I can’t recall anyone ever yelling that warning as a joke. That’s just something you don’t do on the flight deck.

I ride my bike a lot and often trek 20-30 miles. I’m not fast, but I enjoy the ride. I’ve learned that while there are “bike routes” alongside traffic on the major roads in Gainesville, I do not trust drivers. So … I ride on the sidewalks and through the backstreet neighborhoods.

When crossing the road (most of the time at a red light), I’ll look all ways – keeping my head on a swivel, just because I know someone isn’t watching what they’re doing. And it’s not like someone is going to yell, “Chet, drop down.”

Helping others

I’ve mentioned this before in other posts, but I find that there is a reward in helping others who aren’t as fortunate as I.

I’m part of the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) ERT (Early Response Team) that will often travel to areas recently devastated by natural disasters. Here in Florida, that’s usually hurricanes, floods, or fires. Sometimes we’re on site for several days, and while we can’t undo what’s been done, we can provide some much-needed boots on the ground assistance and support.

I’ve been deployed many times over the past year, but this hurricane season, we were fortunate not to have been hit by a hurricane. I know there are other places that were hit, but we dodged this year.

However, I’ve also been able to work on other long-term projects through the Rebuild organization. I’ve found that by doing these volunteer activities and helping my wife at times with hers, gives me another sense of purpose.

And that, my friends, is important to me at this point in my life.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

It’s that time of the year again. When I was growing up, because my birthday was in mid-December, I had to wait an entire year to get any presents. My sister, on the other hand, was born in May, so she didn’t have to wait as long.

But those years are long gone. Now, I’m just happy to be able to get out of bed in the morning, get into my usual routine, and continue my volunteer work, my writing, and my love of life.

All of us at “A Veteran’s Day” wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays. Whether you celebrate or not, I wish you all good blessings for the coming year.

Until we meet again,
Andy

Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books (www.azadkinsiii.com), many of which are free downloads (PDF, eBook format). He is currently retired and lives in Gainesville, Florida with his wife and life-long soulmate, Becky.

Previous Blogs mentioned in this Post:

• #26—That Adrenaline Rush
• #48—Not Just Another House Fire
• #68—Flight Ops: Another Fine Day in the Navy
• #128—Into the Aftermath
• #151—Return to the Aftermath

Answers

1. Carol Burnett.
2. Ted Lasso.
3. Last Christmas (1984), Wham!; written by George Michael.