And Saigon Fell

On April Saigon fell, and that effectively ended the Viet Nam war for the United States. I was still in High School back home in the red dirt country then, although I am sure some of you think I was there. I was not, but the fall had extreme effects on me, I guess even as a junior in high school. For one, I could assume that I would not be drafted to have to go there, or maybe even then I knew I was destined to spend my life in the military and feared that I would have no war to be a part of. Foolish thoughts of a young man.

I joined the United States Navy in 1979, four years after the fall. To this day I can never forget those who wore the Viet Nam service ribbons on their uniforms. Those were the guys who trained me in the basics of being a sailor, and in how to keep aircraft flying. They were a rough and tumble lot. They smoked like chimneys, and lived off black coffee that came in five pound green cans that was government issue, not foo foo Starbucks. They wore wash khaki uniforms, many were stained, and the expression "cussed like a sailor" was coined because of these men.
We did not have mentorship programs, they would teach you what you needed to know and that is all you needed to know. Questioning one of those guys was out of the question, because you might be picking yourself up off the deck if you did. They had lived and seen things that none of us could imagine.

The Navy and the armed forces were in a low state at that time, but some how we were still at war, be it a cold one. The guys that hung around, saved the Navy back then, and never asked for anything in return. In truth they received very little in return or thanks. Many more returned home from Viet Nam and suffered the rest of their lives because of what they were asked to endure.

Not that every thing was perfect with the Navy back then, a lot of changes have been for the better. Though now as we are once again mired deep in a war it occurs to me that we as a nation have forgotten too much of what these young men and women had to endure. They never had all the feel good people programs that we have today, yet some how a few of us old guys did alright and I am hoping they would think we turned out alright because of what they taught us.

I guess this is my fumbling attempt to that thank all those guys. I am proud to have been trained by them and followed in their foot steps, you truly are "Not Forgotten". So from the generation who followed you from Grenada to Iraq, and all stops in between, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I belive that when you reach your final duty station, the good Lord will know, you served your time in hell and welcome you aboard.

Old Chief Sends.

Humble Pie - I Don't Need No Doctor - 1971

Friends

Have heard from a lot of great friends today, and am feeling thankful for each and every one of them. When seas get rough, then you truly know which ones will stick by you. I have learned this many times over through the years, and as it seems some times I am forced to re-learn. Even old Master Chiefs can learn things.

You guys in uniform, I am so proud of each and every one of you. My Facebook status was right, so many people don't care, however you continue the fight each and every day no matter what. To my retired friends, I try to do every thing you did and more, I love you guys and never forget you, where ever you are I pray that you are well. Know that I will never quit, no matter what dumb ass leaders are put before me. I learned many years ago, aim true, and shoot straight, and I know no other way to be other than that, like it or not.

To all others in my family and support network God Bless you for being there.

Old Chief Sends,

NAZARETH " Vigilante Man "

Rory Gallagher - A Million Miles Away Irish Tour 1974

Tropical Depression

It's not the weather, that's fine. It's just me, I've got the blues. Normally blues is my favorite style of music, but right now the music is not even helping. I know that I will shake this off and be back to normal pretty soon, but right now it's kicking my butt. It does not help that right now I am working for an  self serving idiot who has totally forgotten what service means, but that topic will be left for another time.


To any of my brothers and sisters in arms, you know that during the course of a deployment when you just want to go home, that's where I am. This starts to make it hard to write and be positive about much right now. I promise to you all I will get pass this and crank out some better pieces soon. Please bear with me.


A good friend gave me a neat line that says, "depression is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign that you have been trying to be strong for too long." I don't know that this is totally true, but I do know that some times when you are standing on your own as a sole voice of reason, it will wear you down. So I hope to be back soon, will sign off now and listen to some blues and try to kick my own.

Old Chief Sends,

KeY West Views

Carl's Book

The latest book from Captain Carl Peachey, of Schooner Wharf Bar fame.
Check it out now at Amazon!

Michael

After an afternoon spent tolerating drunken, rude tourist from the northern latitudes, while trying to view and photograph the bed races on Duval Street, I needed a saner more relaxed atmosphere. So I turned north east up Green Street, and headed for the waterfront, a place where sailing vessels still have room to pull in without being run over by cruise ships. This is an area that used to be the center of the commercial fishing industry, including the processing and canning of thousands of green sea turtles which were turned into soup and shipped all over the world. Everyone in this area seems to stay more laid back than the boisterous lot found down town.

Enter the Schooner Wharf Bar, advertised as "A last little piece of old Key West". It well may be the last, or at the least, one of the last pieces of old Key West. My good friend Michael McCloud plays guitar there daily. Michael is an original and does not play to the parrot head and Van Morrison crowd, instead he play a mix of blues and original folk songs from his own pen, and a few odd covers that he likes. A very accomplished musician who is now getting a lot of airplay on satellite radio, Michael sets a great tone for a laid back relaxed time. Saturday he was being accompanied by Captain Carl Peachey on guitar. Carl plays a lot in the style of Mark Knoffler, and is also a highly acclaimed novelist. If you read check out his books "Immortal Logic" and "Unnatural Selection" available through Amazon.

So needless to say after a couple of sets of Michael's music and a few adult beverages I am in a much better frame of mind, and even the tourist seem better. I guess you just can't beat an open air place right by the water, covered by sail cloth were dogs wander in and out and the bar is shared by pigeons eating bread scraps.

Wish you were here.

Tourist

If you ever have to live in a tourist area, then you will come to learn just how obnoxious the American tourist can be. Here is a wake up call for you, we really don't want you here. Yes we like your money, but we really hate the way that you think you are entitled to be rude and expect everyone to wait on your every need. You run over locals in a way that you never would at home, and laugh about how it is not like it is at home. Stay home then, because we don't want another strip mall or chain restaurant like you have up north, and we would like to keep the little bit of our sole that we have left. Tip jars are not for looks, they pay people's salary, don't laugh when you leave a nickle in the jar, that's how someone pay their bills. The whole world is not on spring break or vacation, some of us live here!

Conch Republic

Yesterday was the twenty eighth anniversary of the secession of the Florida Keys from the rest of the United States. Now although this was only a tongue in cheek secession in protest of U.S. Border Patrol road blocks on U. S. 1, the Republic state of mind really caught on and is thriving today. We even have our own Navy, Army, and Air Force! Now it is no secret that things can be a little different in the Keys, and I think that is just fine. In light of the current state of affairs in both Tallahassee, and in Washington, secession is getting a hard look once again during this years celebration of our prior attempt.

All this is in good fun, but I have to admit for a boy who was raised in the red dirt of the South, I love the feel of freedom it brings!

Old Chief Sends,

Number 40

Patrick Daniel Tillman (November 6, 1976 - April 22,2004) was a professional football player, who gave up his career and enlisted in the United States Army in May of 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

He became an Army Ranger and served multiple tours in combat before he was killed by friendly fire in the remote mountains of Afghanistan on this day in 2004. He was 27 years old.

Thank you Pat. All gave some, some gave all.

Old Chief Sends,

The Navy Jack

The "Don't Tread on Me" flag may well be our county's first banner. There does seem to be some disagreement over this, and to whether it contained an uncoiled rattlesnake on it, but me, I like the story.

By definition a jack is: "a flag corresponding in appearance to the union or canton of the national ensign. In the United States Navy, it is a blue flag containg a star for each state. For countries whose colors have no canton, the jack is simply a small national ensign. On a sailing vessel the jack is hoisted at the jack-staff shipped at the bowsprit cap when at anchor or in port."

In 1775, as the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued a set of fleet signals. Among the signals was an instruction directing vessels to fly a striped Jack and Ensign in their proper places. The first orders, and the birth of our Navy. The rattlesnake had long been a symbol of resistance to British repressive acts in Colonial America; it's display on the new Jack of the fledging Continental Navy fit naturally with the fervor of the times.

On 31 May 2002 SECNAV instruction 10520.6 issuied by the Honorable Gordon R. England, stated that the first Navy Jack be displayed on board all United States Navy ship during the Global War on Terrorism. It is displayed as such today.

So now you know more about the Navy Jack, that you ever cared to know, I will close by wishing Queen Elizabeth II a happy 84th birthday. Just remember, "Don't Tread on Me".

Old Chief Sends,

Thought Of The Day

There are 4 things you must never do: lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.

UNKNOWN
more famous quotes

Never Forget

Fifteen years ago on April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck filled with explosives made from ammonium nitrate fertilizer, in front of the Alfred P. Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City.

This was the most destructive terrorist act ever perpetrated in the United States, until the September 11, 2001 attacks. 168 lives were lost on that day, 19 of which were under the age of 6, and more than 680 people were injured. The blast damaged or destroyed over 300 buildings within a sixteen block radius. It is estimated that the bomb caused at least $650 million dollars worth of damage.

Not all terrorist are from foreign lands, some are home grown, and an extremist from any side is a bad thing.

Rotor Wash

A lot of my best friends work on helicopters, fly helicopters, or operate out of the back of helicopters. At any given time I have a great number of those friends out on the tip of the spear in harms way, doing what they do best. To those folks, know this, my heart is always with you. The days you work with little sleep, the stress of being for from home and the lack of physical comfort. If you haven't been there, you don't have any idea what it is like, so please don't pretend that you do. You can't pay people to do these jobs, they choose to do it because it is a real calling. I consider myself lucky to be associated with each and every one of you, you are examples of the finest part of America, and I am proud of you all.

"To Fly Is Heavenly, But To Hover Is Devine." "No Helo's, No Heroes"

"So Others May Live"

Old Chief Sends.

A Night to Remember

On this day in 1912 the HMS Titanic hit an iceberg and began to sink. This occurred shortly before midnight and two hours and forty minutes later, in the early morning hours of April 15th she slipped quickly under the water of the North Atlantic.

HMS Titanic was the largest passenger steamship in the world at that time, and was four days into her maiden voyage. 1,517 passengers lost their lives in the sinking, and one of my favorite facts is that a disproportionate number of men died due to the women and children first protocol that was followed. Wonder if that would work in today's world, some group would likely be offended.

In 2000 I got the chance to pass by the final resting place of this once mighty ship while crossing the North Atlantic on board the USS Simpson (FFG 56). We were trying to out run a hurricane and spotted several vessels appearing to be at anchor in the middle of the ocean. My Lamps helicopter, Hellcat 447 was sent to check on the ships, warn them of the impending storm and to inquire if they needed assistance. We were informed they were research ships and that they had submersibles down on Titanic, wow never even thought about the fact of that being the case. I don't think we even knew about the position of Titanic, it was not part of our mission brief. The ships thanked us for checking up on them, and assured us they were watching the storm and were safe, we continued on our way. I can not describe the feeling of seeing those ships in the middle of the North Atlantic and knowing they were sitting two and a half miles above were the Titanic on the ocean floor. I get chills today as I write this. In 1912 as well as today, she truly went down in the middle of no where.

In it's death, and since it's re-discovery in 1985 by Dr. Robert Ballard, the once mighty ship continues the deterioration that will win out in the end, turning it into nothing more that rust stains on the sea floor. Visits by tourist in submersibles, and uncontrolled salvage have added to this rapid decline. It is estimated that the hull will collapse into the sea bed within the next fifty years. Rest in piece, as best you can Titanic, but I do not think you will be soon forgotten.

"Oh hear us when we pray to thee, for those in peril on the sea."

Old Chief sends

End Of The Road

There is a buoy at the end of the United States, the Southernmost point to be exact. A rather obtrusive black and red hunk of concrete thing. Everyone who comes to Key West at some point makes the pilgrimage to be photographed by it. It proclaims on it's side "The Conch Republic", "90 miles to Cuba,""Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.", and at the very bottom "Key West FL. Home Of The Sunset".

It has not always been a large concrete buoy, it used to be a sign that was constantly being stolen, it was replaced by the buoy in 1983. I am told it is the most photographed attraction in Key West, and I believe that to be true as it is hard to find it without a line of people waiting their turn to have their picture taken beside it. Even some who were born here. Tourist do some strange things, but to me this seems harmless enough.

I could argue that it is not the southernmost point at all, which would actually be Sand Key, but what would be the point. This is where the road ends and that is what matters most.

Wisdom From A Swamp

As the Tea Part movement grows and as big events are planed in the coming days, the Old Chief has a few words of caution.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Know that any time you gather in large groups the liberal media will spin it to their advantage, to make you look like trouble makers. Not only that, they have a movement afoot to plant anti tea party people in your midst to make you look bad. It's true, and will be highly effective too. They will spit at people and shout racial slurs, and be portrayed by the press as being conservative.

True strength and solidarity will only prove it's self at the polls. The left is organized well and they are playing a smart hand. They are working hard behind the scenes to gain support and votes. Their goal, the re-distribution of wealth in America, but you'll never see them give theirs up, just like you'll never see them use their own health care policies. Socialism is a great idea until the other guy has nothing else to give, or to take. I am happy to see people get excited over this cause, and I must say it is about time, however like I said know your enemies.

Walt Kelly was a famous cartoonist who created a group of characters who were denizens of the Okefenokee Swamp (a place I hold very dear). Mr. Kelly described himself as an independent and all political sides took shots from his character creatures, the most famous of which was Pogo the opossum, or possum as Mr. Kelly called him. Old Pogo knew a thing or two about enemies and was quoted on a 1971 Earth Day poster as saying to his friend Porky "Yep Son, We have met the enemy and HE IS US." Pogo had it right, we can not afford to be our own worst enemy. So remember, be smart and know the facts, and make sure your friends and everyone you know votes. For there and there alone lies our true voice.

Old Chief Sends,

Feel Good Story Of The Day

Nadia Bloom, an eleven year old autistic girl missing since last Friday from her Winter Springs, Florida home, has been found safe in a swamp near Lake Jesup.

For four days authorities searched and failed to find her. They used aircraft, and infra-red, and sonar, as well as dog teams. In the end a group of men from her church formed a circle and prayed together for the Lord to guide them to Nadia, then walked straight into the swamp and found her.

Prayer Works!

Spring Break

I have tried to stay away from things for a few days, and take a spring break. I haven't run off to any other exotic location, as I pretty much live in a spring break destination. I'm not playing beer pong or getting burned to a new shade of red trying to impress chicks on the beach. What I have done is stay away from the computer, I have not updated this blog nor played around on facebook. I have not watched the news constantly, although I have still gone into work.



I have found that I can still live pretty well without those things. Heck I lived well over forty years without having a phone in my pocket all the time, I have not always had an Internet.



I have had my family here on the island with me this week for their spring break, and that has made all the difference in the world. We have loved each other and laughed, taken long walks and bike rides. We visited Hemingway's house and have spent time with our great friends here on the island. We have eaten well and even had one teenager turn the color of a cooked lobster after the first day at the beach. I have found myself being thankful for it all.



Yes, the news has kept coming, and the facebook updates have come and gone without my ever vigilant eye and I know soon enough I will return to all these activities, but I am glad for my spring break with my family. I know that is what truly sustains me and not the material things of the world.



I close with a quote from Mark Twain concerning material things. "Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment".



God Bless,

Old Chief Sends

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, the day Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of us. The was a move afoot in Iowa somewhere to change the name of the day to Spring Holiday, because I guess Good Friday was thought to be offencive to some people. I've got a plan for that if you find it offencive, don't listen to it, just don't try and push your displeasure of the name on to me.

When I was growing up over half a century ago, my Grandparents told me Good Friday was a day to start planting the summer garden. That usually meant work, and I mean work. Plowing, moving rocks, making furrows and planting seeds. It was a day off from school and that provided a labor force for accomplishing all these things. We also got to decorate hard boiled eggs with McCormick food coloring, where you would drop small amounts of color from small eye dropper type bottles into cups filled with hot water. My favorite part was mixing the colors, as I always thought I had a better idea of how a color should look.

It is a beautiful day here on Bone Island, and I hope it is for all you who may happen to read this. If you don't have to work today as some of us do, enjoy your day, but pause for a moment to remember the real reason of the day. Because on that original Friday, it wasn't a holiday.

God Bless

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAVY CHIEFS!

On April 1, 1893, the rate of U. S. Navy Chief Petty Officer was established, making us 117 years old today officially, although there have been Chiefs around as long as there has been a Navy.

I owe a great deal of thanks to the Chiefs who came before me and to the ones who taught me how to be a Sailor. Many of them were not the politically correct version that is so prevalent today in our Navy, however they were the difference makers. They truly were the backbone of our force. They smoked everywhere (before smoke pits), drank coffee that came in five pound Navy issued cans, never cleaned their mugs, were very found of beer, and always made sure their sailors were taken care of. Their counseling was tough and physical, but you knew they would just as soon take a bullet for you if need be. They could tell Officers to go to hell in a way that the Officers learned from it, and would always respect their Chiefs. They were always ready to deploy anywhere, anytime, and they lived by the creed. I could not wait to be one of those guys. I got to be one in 1993, made Senior in 98, and my Dad pinned on my Master Chief Anchors in 2003.

I feel compelled at this point to add a couple of paragraphs from the CPO creed, which has changed from the this one that I made Chief by, but the meaning remains the same.

"Always bear in mind that no other armed force has rate or rank equivalent to that of the United States Navy. Granted that all armed forces have two classes of service: enlisted and commissioned, however the United States Navy has the distinction of having four i.e. Enlisted, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, Commissioned Warrant Officer and Commissioned Officer. This is why we in the United States Navy may maintain with pride our feelings of superiority once we have attained the position of E-7"

"These privileges, these responsibilities do not appear in print, they have no official standing, they cannot be referred to by name, number nor file. They exist because for over 200 years the CHIEFS before you have freely accepted responsibility beyond call of printed assignment, their actions and their performance, demanded the respect of their seniors as well as their juniors."

There is much more to the creed but to me these paragraph pretty much sums it for me. Once again Happy Birthday to all Navy CHIEFS past and present. Thank you and God Bless you.

Hoo Ya!