Our Korean War Veterans saved a nation from a future of unimaginable bleakness, restored an Ally, and stopped Communist aggression. They did so not for glory or national grandeur. They defended Freedom, protected Freedom, and preserved Freedom in Korea because the United States of America, asked these “Greatest Generation” young men to do so. That … Continue reading An Opportunity to Bring Wayne and Ron Home
Captain Elliot Dean Ayer, USAF, was a decorated fighter pilot of WWII and the Korean War. A Pearl Harbor Veteran as a 17-year old gunner, he earned his AAF wings, personal decorations and a Captaincy by the end of the war. Rather than leave the rapidly demobilizing Air Force, he served as a Master Sergeant, … Continue reading Remembering a Korean War Hero: Captain Elliot Dean Ayer, USAF
The Navy has announced it is reestablishing the Second Fleet. A lot of us who served proudly in that Fleet, are thinking “told you so.” A more fundamental question is where are leaders like Burke, Rickover, and Metcalf (21st Century Navy) to speak up, call out, and decry strategic decisions that undermine or threaten our … Continue reading Navy Gives Second Fleet Second Chance
Before relieving the Officer of the Deck Underway (OOD u/w), the on-coming OOD was required to prepare himself thoroughly. Reading and initialing the Captain’s Night Orders was an important step in the relieving process. They were read and initialed before every watch between 2100 – 0800. In other words, periods when the Captain might be … Continue reading Carrier Captain’s Night Orders: “Call Me…”
The national Board of Directors of the Boy Scouts of America recently announced that girls will be welcomed into all programs sponsored by that organization. Previously the Sea Scouts and Venturing programs allowed young women 14 years of age or older to participate. The new decision will allow girls to participate in all programs of … Continue reading Eagle Scout: End of a brand that took a century to build?
“We do it all!” (USS Saipan LHA-2 motto) These Log Entries will highlight the USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) during the early 1980’s during which this Watch Stander spent many months aboard–from the waters off Norfolk and Little Creek, to New York’s exciting harbor, and to the frigid, but beautiful and strategically important waters of the … Continue reading USS Saipan (LHA 2)
When Navy friends and ship mates get together to relax, invariably the topic gets around to “sea stories.” All of us who have served in the Navy have acquired such stories–funny, surprising, comical, humorous, tragic, poignant–and memorable, always memorable. Sea Stories are as varied as the person reliving them–interesting, exciting, provocative, stimulating, appealing, heartwarming, lively … Continue reading In Dire Straits of Gibraltar
-North Jacksonville 48-star School Classroom Flag Honored- Remarks by Dr. Tracy D. Connors, CAPT USN (Ret) during opening ceremonies for 60th Reunion of the Andrew Jackson High School Class of 1956 on May 21, 2016. Tonight we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the class of 1956 finally escaping from Andrew Jackson Senior High school. Before … Continue reading It’s Still a Grand Old Flag
Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back, and, instead of bleeding, he sings. —Robert Benchley On that note, this recollection might be considered an aria, or at least a simple arpeggio sharing some thoughts and perspective on a topic we all probably know a great deal about – rejection. An email I … Continue reading Rejecting Rejection: being thrown back to the future
Flash: the U.S. Navy plans return to teaching celestial navigation. In my view, this is one of the smarter moves the Navy is making to ensure its ability to safely navigate no matter what and no matter where. In the early 1960s, at OCS, we learned the basics of both piloting and celestial navigation in … Continue reading U.S. Navy and back to the future Star Power