Since Ed got so much traction on his Thanksgiving post, I thought it might be fun to try Christmas!
I had joined the Naval Reserve in March, 1964. Having survived Boot Camp at Great Lakes shortly thereafter followed by a summer cruise on the USS The Sullivans DD-537 and then "SK" A School in Newport, RI the following summer, I was ordered to Active Duty on the 17th of December, 1965. After arriving at the Receiving Station in Brooklyn, NY, I received orders to the USS Nitro AE-23 which was deployed to the MED. I called my wife, Barb, and let her know I would not be home for Christmas but would be flying out to Rota, Spain on the 22nd. Upon arriving in Spain I learned that the ship was in Rhodes, Greece for the Holidays. I flew to Naples, Italy the next day and then to Rhodes, Greece on Christmas Eve. The ship would return to Davisville, RI in April and commence offloading ammo and supplies as it was scheduled for decommissioning for 18 months while it underwent an extensive yard period. In 1972 I would return to Rota on the Advanced Party for the homeport change for the USS Simon Lake AS-33. While there, I re-enlisted under the SCORE Program to change rates to "OT".
As a footnote, while on a MED Cruise on USS McCloy FF-1038, we would be directed to proceed to the USS Nitro to assist them in fighting a massive fireroom fire. Thankfully it was extinguished prior to our arrival and we were re-directed back to ASW OPS. Also, I applied to become the CMC on the Pre-Com for the new The Sullivans for my final tour but it had already been filled.
I spent my first Christmas suffering terribly in the remote outpost of Key West, Florida.
It was a really hard job, but someone had to do it.
I think the day was spent sleeping until 10 or so, then going to the beach for most of the day. A dinner in the mess hall (we had an Air Force cook in there at that time for some reason so the meals were usually pretty good) and then probably spent the evening at Big Daddy's disco or at the Airport bar.
Tough duty indeed.
Some time I will post up about all the suffering I endured at Bermuda, Centerville and Cape Hatteras on other Christmases but those sordid tales are for other days.
standing mid-eve swing back at NavFac San Salvador circa 1963
It was a really hard job, but someone had to do it.
I think the day was spent sleeping until 10 or so, then going to the beach for most of the day. A dinner in the mess hall (we had an Air Force cook in there at that time for some reason so the meals were usually pretty good) and then probably spent the evening at Big Daddy's disco or at the Airport bar.
Tough duty indeed.
Some time I will post up about all the suffering I endured at Bermuda, Centerville and Cape Hatteras on other Christmases but those sordid tales are for other days.
1969 NavFac Coos Head Oregon... Christmas Eve, started my first “72” as a watch stander. Base party that night and spent most of the night trying to get that black stuff off of the side of my hand from annotating with a red pencil.
Quarterdeck watch, NTC Great Lakes, 1965
Bermuda 1970. Deb and I and 6 month old son. We were renting a small cottage off base (not eligible for on-base housing as a Seaman Apprentice). The owner of the cottage was well known by the powers to be on the base and rented his cottage to Navy personnel only and the rent he charged was equal to your BAQ amount. Imagine, paying $96.00 a month for a cottage in Bermuda. Christmas trees were in limited supply and expensive for a boot so Deb and I went on NOB and walked back by the old dispensary along the chain link fence were we had previously seen small white pine trees. Armed with a small hand saw I cut down a small tree, threw it over the fence, went back off base, down the bike path and dragged the tree home. Being a small white pine it was as flimsy as hot taffy. It had more strings attached to hold it somewhat upright than you could believe. In the end we managed to get a few decorations on it and place a couple gifts under it. The tree was pitiful and beautiful at the same time. Nearly every Christmas since, We recall this experience and wonderful memory. Our family members have heard this story more times than reruns of the Wizard of Oz.
I was ordered to report to the Federal Building in Cleveland on 23 DEC 1968 to depart for Navy boot camp that day. After sitting around for eight hours, they sent everyone home and said report back at 0800 on 26 DEC. So I enjoyed my first active duty Christmas with my family. Four years later I learned that I was charged two days leave. Heck, I thought the Navy was just being nice to us! I guess it was my very first paid vacation days. Hahaha