#179—Grandparenting – What a Great Gig!

Thank you Veterans - Flag

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) We’ve been blessed with three grandsons—two from our son and one from our daughter (and their respective spouses, of course). For those with grandchildren, I know you know what it’s like to first hold that… Read more#179—Grandparenting – What a Great Gig!

#178 – Midrats

This week’s blog post is a repeat from several years ago… one of my all-time favorites. I’m out with an ERT (Early Response Team) this week, continuing to help with hurricane cleanup. There’s so much work left to do, but… Read more#178 – Midrats

#176—Dear Mom & Dad

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) June 1977 Somewhere off the Coast of Southern California Dear Mom & Dad: Can you believe it? I’ll be home for good in less than a month. It seems like only yesterday that I joined… Read more#176—Dear Mom & Dad

#175—Night Shift

Sailors Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln at night

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Photo: PACIFIC OCEAN (April 11, 2008) Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) enjoy a clear night from the bow of the ship during a pause in flight operations. Lincoln… Read more#175—Night Shift

#174—Transfer Orders

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Becky & I have traveled a bit over this summer—more than normal. We’ve been to Cleveland twice to spend time with our daughter, husband, and 11-month-old grandson. And we traveled to Alaska for a vacation… Read more#174—Transfer Orders

#173—Cruisin’ … It’s Not the Same

USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) port side view sunset.

Becky & I recently returned from a vacation in Alaska, part of which included a 7-day cruise from Seward (Anchorage) down the inside passage to Vancouver. While we’d taken several cruises before (including one from Vancouver north to Seward), they’d… Read more#173—Cruisin’ … It’s Not the Same

#172—Change of “Scenery” (Red to Yellow)

April 1977—USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)Somewhere off the Coast of California “Hey Chet… You ready for this?” I was sporting my new, brightly colored jersey… this one is yellow. My new “home” is no longer the Crash Crew, but now I’m… Read more#172—Change of “Scenery” (Red to Yellow)

#171—My First… Overseas Liberty Call

Thanks to those who commented on my previous blog, #170—An Honor & a Privilege.” Several comments were spot on and reminded me of things I’d forgotten. Here’s a few more shared “memories:” June 1975 – Somewhere in the Middle of… Read more#171—My First… Overseas Liberty Call

#167—The Navy Introduced Me to a Lot of “Firsts”

A-7 Corsair Ready for Launch

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Boot Camp What can I say that others haven’t said about “Boot Camp?” I joined the Navy at the tender young age of 18 and attended a “truncated” 6-week boot camp at Orlando RTC (Recruit… Read more#167—The Navy Introduced Me to a Lot of “Firsts”

#166—The Day I “accidentally” Made 30 Kids Cry

Gainesville Fire Department

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I was (and still am) a Navy veteran… a proud Navy veteran. I spent 4 years in the Navy (’73-77) as an Aviation Boatswains Mate-Handler. Most of that time was as a Crash firefighter. I… Read more#166—The Day I “accidentally” Made 30 Kids Cry