Howdy y'all OTA OTM types from the Cold War.

I increasingly find myself in a funny position. Sandwiched between an Older Brother who had a mortar land in his jeep on his last day in Nam(KIA), and a Ranger son currently dodging bullets in strange places, I don't know what to say about our service to the country.

A part of me wants to explain our very, very unique role in the Cold War, and the love of facing Victor III boats and the rest of the Soviet fleet. But we did not face danger, not the bullet type.

Just the fear that we would allow a boomer to get close to our beloved country. We were cocky and darn good, between us, countless other secret programs, and a President that demanded nothing less than the wall coming down. I remember the P-3 flight where I heard a boat I had plotted on tracing paper.

Another part of me wants someone to know that wth simple 10-point dividers, vague 2-3-2 calls, and good old Master Chief Peterson, ( I loved him like a 2nd Father) we actually made the oceans pretty transparent.

But I guess we did our job, and just have to live with the current daily news of Russian and Chinese Subs off our coasts, and Bears mocking Guam and Alaska with unanswered responses. Dang, I just know with 1986 technology and 2-2-2 and 80 watches, this current nonscence would not occur.

I am proud of our part we played in winning the Cold War, and yet fear that I may lose a son, due to the decisions made since that a simple game of Risk would never tactically allow.

I love all my NavFac pals, regardless of rate, and hope I was not to much of an idiot to deserve the same. Love you all, and thanks for the rant

Dave and Carol Truax, OTA2 1984 to 1988. Norfolk, **** Neck, Adak, and Guam.

Nice post Dave - and my sincere thanks to your family for serving our nation so valiantly.

I was especially fond of Gary Peterson as well, and thanks for mentioning him. He was a stand-up guy, and a wonderful friend. Pretty darned good OT as well.

Throughout our years of silent and diligent contributions to our nation, I always knew that what we were doing was making a difference. As we now have the advantage of unobstructed hindsight, it is ever-more evident that our contribution was clearly a difference maker. Those mid watches were never meaningless, and that venus unique gripped by a blackened hand at 3:45AM turned out to be as deadly to the Soviet undersea fleet as any round in the chamber could have been. Simply said, in our quiet, methodical way, we kicked butt. Thanks for being a part of that.

So 30 years, later our nation faces new ASW challenges. I am confident that we will continue to discover ways to meet these new threats. "Smokey is still on watch"!

And I pray for the safety of your "Ranger".
George

To all: Rest assured that all of “YOU” are still on-watch. The knowledge and professional performance brought forward from your collective efforts throughout the Cold War allows us to continue protecting freedom through Undersea Surveillance. - Ed Smock

A heart tugging post Dave!!! Where it is tempting to write a lengthy response, two of our very, very best succinctly said all that really can be said.

So, Pat and I will offer our condolences on the loss of your Brother and keep the safety of your Ranger in our daily prayers.

John and Pat

Agree with above. Always felt we were making a huge contribution to the defense of our nation from the Cuban Crisis up until I retired in 1989. We always had great people to work with and we were a tight knit group. I would definitely go back and do it all over again.

Tks for all the sacrifice from you and your family over the years. It is what makes our nation great. Hopefully future generations will continue the tradition.

Thank you to you and your family for your service. EKD

Dave and Carol-

Nice post, and good to hear from you (both)! It is pretty amazing to think back to the way things were then, and the amazing things we accomplished. But rest assured, the art has not died. It's alive and well, and still keeping us all safe. I got hired at CUS a year and a half ago, and I LOVE the fact that I'm back in it.

And I remember when we were on our hands and knees with sponges, laying the first coat of wax to the decks of the then brand new RTF building! And now here I am in the same building again. But I don't wax decks anymore, which is nice!

Drop me a line!

Brett

I wouldn't have changed a thing from late 75 "A" school to late 89 NAVFAC Centerville transfer to fleet reserve. I had a blast at my FACS and feel that I, as well, helped keep our nation secure from those RUSKIES! Appreciate everyones efforts and pray for our current military men and women. Nice Postand God Bless.