Fred Martin
Member
I spent my time in the navy and had good duty, Tender duty. You had to shovel the coffee grounds away from it to get underway. An order came through the fleet requesting volunteers for duty in Viet Nam. I volunteered to go but, the BuPers said no, I was the sole surviving son of a deceased father. I was one month old when he passed away. I have made trips to the far east and the Mediteranean and didn't get to see any action...well almost none. We were in Formosa (now Taiwan) and the local kids (about 10 year olds) came around the ship on about four pieces of bamboo lashed together, and paddled with their hands. They would dive if you threw a coin in the water and along came some wise guy and tossed a motor armature down on one of the bamboo rigs. They all left but, when they came back, you couldn't walk up the port side of the ship...they had their sling shots and had gone to war with the US Navy. Thats all the hostilities for me. But, thanks to all the guys and gals who were not so lucky. Reading a post below reminded me of this. ohfred