A Veteran's Journey

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

1. Who said, “The greatest part of a trip isn’t arriving at your destination; it’s all the wild stuff that happens along the way.”?
2. In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”?
3. In what song (and who sang it) did we hear the following:
   Father, father
   We don’t need to escalate
   You see, war is not the answer
   For only love can conquer hate
   You know we’ve got to find a way
   To bring some lovin’ here today

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I’m probably going to open a can of worms with this post, but what the heck. Why not?

If you’ve ever taken a road trip with kids (whether yours, mine, or ours) then no doubt you’ve heard the (often never-ending) question, “Are we there yet?” I know I have… many times. But those years have long passed.

Not Just on Road Trips…

I think it’s hilarious, since when I was in the Navy, it was not uncommon to hear, “Are we there yet?”

Most Navy veterans I know who’ve sailed aboard a ship or transferred from one duty station to another have expressed this many (MANY) times. Whether it’s cruising overseas, stopping at a foreign liberty port, or heading back home to the States. We’ve all been there and done that.

During Westpac ’75 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), I couldn’t wait to get underway in May 1975, off to new adventures. Even though I’d spent 15 months on Guam (NAS Agana, Guam) in Crash & Rescue, I knew this would be another unique experience.

That is why I joined the Navy.

I reported aboard Kitty Hawk in March ’75 right after she completed her RIMPAC exercise. I knew I needed a few months to learn the routines, so to speak.

Learn how to live aboard an aircraft carrier with 5,500 of your closest “friends;” get use to the flight deck activities, learn how to drive a Crash truck on a flight deck full of aircraft and during flight operations. As you’d expect, it was much (MUCH) different from driving trucks at NAS Agana, Guam (’73-75).

But it only took a few trips out to sea to learn where to be and more important, where NOT to be.

Westpac ‘75

I know I’m not alone here, but when we left San Diego to set sail for the Westpac cruise in May 1975, I was excited—a new adventure (journey) for me. It’s hard to describe, but for those of us Navy veterans who served aboard a ship, heading out to sea is a wondrous feeling, whether you’re above decks or below decks. “Haze gray and underway.”

For those married sailors with children, I know it was hardest on them, leaving their families. But that’s simply a part of a Navy man’s (and now women) life. And from what I hear, sailors’ spouses are also a tight-knit group, helping support each other during the cruise.

Back in my day, we didn’t have the Internet or email (heck, the personal computer didn’t even exist), so postal mail, letters, and packages were how we kept in touch with our families and friends.

Philippines

Our overseas home port (forward deployment) was the Philippines (commonly called “PI”). That basically meant we’d dock at PI, then head out to other locations in the South China Sea, Japan, etc., wherever we were needed. All in all, we were in and out of PI seven times during our six-month Westpac.

I’ve blogged about PI several times, and it was always a welcomed visit, especially the “first time.”

Liberty Ports

“Work hard, play harder.” What else can I say about liberty when on a Navy cruise? There were only a few times when I had section duty the day we pulled into a foreign port, but that was okay by me. I figured I’d let the other guys make their mark before I headed into the local town. And besides learning where the best food & drink are, I’d also pick up a tip or two about the locals from them before I headed out.

Of the three ports we visited (PI, Hong Kong, and Yokosuka), I only took advantage of playing tourist in Hong Kong and Japan. I wish I’d done more in PI than frequent the bars and restaurants. The Philippines has so much to offer, but this was my first cruise; I’d heard from other veterans that you’d probably spend the next Westpac cruise touring more and drinking less.

However, there was that one time when our Division Yeoman, John Tubao, arranged for several of us to take a Jeepney to a seaside restaurant owned by a family member. It was about a 30-minute ride, but we were able to relax, drink beer, eat some great food, watch a magnificent sunset, and just be ourselves. Our V-1 Division Officer, Lt. Robert Leone (a former A-4 Skyhawk pilot), was with us that day and I remember him being just as relaxed as the rest of us.

Hong Kong

We spent a week during our stopover in Hong Kong. Without a pier to dock an aircraft carrier, we anchored out in the harbor near Green Island and took ferries into shore. We had “max liberty,” meaning you didn’t need to come back to the ship unless you had duty. And… I had duty the first day in, but I was okay with that. I’d get to Hong Kong soon enough.

Besides, I got to operate the B&A (Boat & Aircraft crane) to lower the Admiral’s barge into the water—that was “fun,” especially when the 1,500 pound hoist “found its way” through the barge’s windshield due to rough waters. But nobody got hurt and the Admiral got his barge, albeit a little whacked up.

The exchange rate in 1975 was five HK dollars to one US dollar. I also got my one and only tattoo in Hong Kong at Pinky’s Tattoo Parlor, a popular “destination.” At that time, Hong Kong was still under British rule and China was closed to Americans.

Several of us took a tour of the island and Aberdeen (the boat city) and ended up at the Tai Pak restaurant for a delicious six-course meal. I’d learned earlier in PI to never ask what you were served, especially if it was tasty. Because sometimes knowing what you were eating might make it taste “different.”

Japan

Yokosuka, Japan was much different. I remember Japan as being a little more cultural, modern, cleaner, and busier than PI or Hong Kong. Again, we had “max liberty; this time, I didn’t have duty the first day.

The exchange rate was 300 Yen for one US Dollar and it was more expensive here than in PI or Hong Kong.

For example, a beer in Yokosuka cost 300 Yen ($1 USD); a beer in Hong Kong was $4HK ($.85 USD); and a beer in PI cost about three pisos ($.45 USD). I learned a lesson right then & there, which I’ve followed over the years ever since: the cost of living around the world can be easily measured by comparing the cost of beer.

Am I right? Anyone else make that comparison?

A group of us traveled on the “bullet train” to Tokyo for the day. None of us spoke Japanese, and it was apparent from all the stares we received we were foreigners, but that was okay. We still found places to drink, eat, and be merry.

Can’t Wait to get Back to Sea

I don’t know if it’s me or if other Navy veterans felt this way, but while I thoroughly enjoyed visiting different ports, experiencing good local food, drink, and culture, and taking some much needed time to decompress from the long hours spent on the flight deck, I looked forward to setting sail again, getting back to the ocean and that fresh salty air, and back to the excitement of the flight deck and flight ops.

Well… maybe not the Sea of Japan with “round-the-clock” flight ops and freezing my butt off, though I enjoyed our 6-day max liberty in Yokosuka.

It says something, though, when many memories from years ago are primarily from the time you spent on the ship at sea. Routines both on duty and off duty, chow lines & the mess hall, and for me, being a country radio DJ (“Country Chet Adkins”) aboard Kitty Hawk.

Can’t Wait to Return to the US

After six months deployment, Kitty Hawk began her trip back to the States in December 1975. While I’d become accustomed to PI, Olongapo City, and all my favorite haunts, I was ready to head back.

We had the usual flight ops during the transit until we had to set the Alert 5. You know, just in case the Russians showed up with their Bears & Badgers, which, of course, they did. The trip back to Hawaii was about two weeks with a 2-day stopover. Then another few days before docking at our home port in San Diego North Island.

We arrived the day before my 21st birthday. And of course, I had duty that first day.

Funny thing I vividly recall: I’d been overseas for more than two years (Guam and the Westpac cruise) and everywhere I went, I’d been able to drink alcohol… legally. And yes, like many military men & women, I learned to drink and just as important, how NOT to drink.

But when we pulled back into the United States on December 15, 1975, I wasn’t old enough to drink alcohol… legally.

It’s no big deal now, especially since I’m a “seasoned” Navy veteran of 66, but that always struck me as ironic.

Can’t Wait to Get Back to the Ship

Another great thing about coming back to the states is that most of us could take leave. I waited a week or so, but I wanted to fly home to Florida to spend Christmas with my family. But even then, after a couple of weeks of being home—it’s hard to explain—but I was homesick for Kitty Hawk.

I know I’m not the only one who felt that way about their ship. There’s something about leaving home for another home and I’ve heard it described many ways, but many sailors stationed aboard a ship look forward to heading out again… out to the sea… out to the blue ocean water… out to do their jobs.

I loved what I did—ABH2 (Aviation Boatswain’s Mate-Handler), both in Guam and aboard Kitty Hawk.

For me, it was more than just a job, it was an adventure.

Winding Down

Well, the kids grew up, moved out, graduated from college, and got good jobs—they’re off the payroll, so to speak. And… we have grandsons. Yes, they are sometimes anxious (“Are we there yet?”) on road trips.

We love visiting our kids in San Diego and Cleveland and often can’t wait to get there, especially after this challenging COVID year. Are we there yet?

But we also realize—like we did at their age—they have their own lives now.

While it’s been more than a year, we do like to travel. But it’s also nice to be home…

… except when there’s a hurricane like the one headed this way as I write this. Then we’d rather be anywhere but here.

Until we meet again,
Andy

Previous posts mentioned in this blog

• #61—There’s a Reason For the Flight Deck Foul Line
• #41—Haze Gray and Underway
• #11—Does Anyone Write Letters Anymore?
• #20—Port Call: Philippines
• #75—Work Hard, Play Hard: Liberty Call
• #43—Port Call: Hong Kong
• #15—Tattoo: Yes, or No?
• #23—Rough Seas: Sea of Japan
• #39—Good Mornin’ to Ya, Kitty Hawk
• #49—Westpac ’75: After Six Months, We’re Coming Home
• #33—Launch the Alert 5!

Answers

1. Emma Chase.
2. Dead Poets Society (1989); John Keating (Robin Williams).
3. What’s Going On (1970); Marvin Gaye; Written by Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and Marvin Gaye.

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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. Download your FREE copy HERE.