Do you remember the first time you saw the ocean? I was impressed as a five-six year old. All that beautiful sand. The giant waves rolling in and seeing huge ships on the horizon that looked like toys. I remember the little creatures scurring to dig in the sand after each wave. The squalking sea gulls. Watching them remain stationary in the air and wondering how they could do that. I was ignorant of the wind currents and how they could adjust their wings to appear stationary while looking for that stray bug or insect. The blue color of the water, and again the constant crashing waves.
An experience that only heightened the wander lust in little Jackie because seeing those ships, I wanted to be on one and sail across that ocean. I envisioned the sail ships, but even at six I knew they were gone.
Funny how time moves on. Just eleven years later, I was assigned the job of loading a construction battallion of US Marines on the USS Vermillion AKA 107 and then we headed across the Atlantic, thru the Straits of Gibraltar into the beautiful Blue Mediterranean. YES, I was at the rail to see the ROCK and see the water slowly change to a bluer blue, this was the Med. I was headed to Saros Bay, Turkey for a joint NATO exercise. I was 17 and had the high rank of Corporal(two stripes).
WE stopped in Toranto, Italy and since we were a small ship, we stopped at the small Greek island of Corfu. Which unto this day, I would love to take Sherry, it is such a beautiful Island. The Kaiser had his Med Palace there, I was privileged to tour it.
Little could I know at six, that because of my dreams, I would spend my first wedding anniversary on foreign soil after sailing that beautiful ocean I learned to love.
Yeah on Sept. 22, 1957 I found a secluded place just inland from Saros Bay, Turkey. There I cried alone (Marines can’t cry) thinking of that song by Bobby Helms, entitled ‘Fraulein’. Only one verse stood out it was this one:
FrauIein, Fraulein, look up toward the Heaven
Each night when the stars start to shine
By the same stars above you,
I swear that I love you
You are my pretty fraulein.
I still love the ocean, if the Navy would have let me have my wife aboard, I would still be there. LOL
I still love the ocean, if the Navy would have let me have my wife aboard, I would still be there. LOL
Thanks for coming this way.
NIte Shipslog
PS:
Not all childhood dreams mean much, but then some do!!! RIGHT?
+018.jpg)
+040aa_edited-1.jpg)
10 comments:
indeed,dreams are g0od 0nce y0u g0t a chance t0 make it happen I enj0yed reading y0ur dreams and past,lovely!have a blessed day always!
Hugs,
Blue
it would be hard not to be with the love of your life on your first anniversary, regardless of where you were, even if you enjoyed sailing "the ocean blue"
lived the majority of my life in Southern California close to the ocean. It never gets old looking at it; always beautiful, never the same, and a sunset over it is truly a precious memory (and a wonderful gift from God :)
betyt
I spent my childhood thinking that the Gulf of Mexico was the ocean. What a wonderful surprise it continues to be discovering various authentic oceans. Thanks for bringing these salty thoughts to mind.
I remember when I saw the ocean for the first time and have loved it ever since. I really don't get to see it often and could count on one hand the number of times I have, but I always love it.
Like Y said, I grew up thinking the Gulf was the Ocean, and it has continued to be a beautiful place for me. I grieve, thinking of the disaster that is going on now and how all this oil will affect it's beauty, kill much of it's wildlife, etc. I've seen the Atlantic, the Pacific and spent a few vacations on the Indian Ocean. Loved them all. You could write a story with the Indian Ocean for your theme - filled with pirate tales, deep-sea divers, native Natives, Arabian Sheiks on dhows, European beauties, missionaries and mystique! I say YOU could, not me. LoL Loved this entry.
The first time I saw the ocean was way back in '69.' My first H was stationed on the coast out of Highlands, NJ with the USArmy...we had arrived at night, not knowing how close to the coast we were, but we could smell the salty air. I loved the first walk on the shore and the first time to body surf...another story, another time. It was so wide and forever, it seemed. To think my forefathers sailed across those blue waters to find their freedom and kiss the ground that would become their 'home'. I could see the Statue of Liberty from our apt. on a clear day across the bay. The ocean was salty to taste, easy to float and dream of what was to come. I loved it and swam it daily for 8 months before he was shipped across that ocean in service for our country. My cousin Sandy, she scared the daylights out of me, arriving unexpectedly at my door during her Navy tour, and we spent the whole day 'catching up', on the beach. Thanks for the sweet memories Jack....I have to go call my cousin.
Now, go make arrangements to go to Corfu with your lovely bride.
Loveya from WI...BlessYourHearts
I was 37 when I first saw an ocean. I am 80 now so go figure. Shortly after Marty's dad died. My sister paid our way to California, Just Marty and I and Connie to try to get through that sad time in our life. Of course we got through it but my sister just made it easier. I bet you did miss Sherry, Jack.
AH THE FIRST LOOK AT THE OCEAN.
OUR TROOP TRAIN ARRIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO AT NIGHT, SEEING ONLY PERSONAL DUFFLE BAGS THAT HAD BEEN WITHIN REACH FOR THE FOUR DAYS FROM MISSISSIPPI TO SAN FRANCISCO.
THE GRUFF OLD MASTER SERGEANT ORDERING, GRAB YOUR BAG AND FOLLOW IN LINE UP THAT RAMP LEADING UP ON TO THE SHIP'S DECK. THAT WAS NIGHT TIME SO NO VIEW OF THE OCEAN UNTIL MORNING. NO BEACH THERE, JUST HARBOR.
FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS THO WE DID SEE LOTS OF OCEAN. CRUISE COURTESY OF UNCLE SAM.
IN A WAY IT WAS A PLEASANT TRIP. WARM WEATHER AND NO STORMS.
FOUR THOUSAND MILITARY PEOPLE AND SHIP'S CREW. I WAS FORTUNATE TO NEVER BE SEA SICK. WAS KEPT ON KP DUTY THE ENTIRE TRIP. NOT A BAD ASSIGNMENT REALLY.
INTERESTING HOW THE NAVY BOILED EGGS. A TREMENDOUS PRESSURE COOKER WITHIN WHICH WAS PLACED MANY 'CASES' OF EGGS, LID TIGHTENED DOWN AND STEAM APPLIED AND IN A FEW MINUTES THERE WAS THE MEAL FOR OUR PART OF THE SHIP. SEVERAL KITCHENS PROVIDED FOR THE FOUR THOUSAND PEOPLE.
ONE OF MY KP JOBS WAS HANDING OUT THE EGGS. THREE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL AND A SECOND COURSE WAS A SANDWICH WHICH HAD BEEN PREPARED IN ADVANCE. I NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO HAND OUT SANDWICHES. HOWEVER, THOSE 'FATIGUE' POCKETS WERE BAGGING DOWN WITH EGGS TO BE SHARED WHEN GOING OFF DUTY.
ANOTHER JOB FOR WE WHOM NEVER GOT SEA SICK WAS GUARD DUTY. AT NIGHT, COMPLETE DARKNESS, NO LIGHTS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED. DURING DAYTIME WHILE ON KP HAD PLACED A SIX CAN CASE OF SLICED PEACHES OR FRUIT COCKTAIL TO BE RECOVERED WHEN DARKNESS CAME AND I WOULD BE ON GUARD DUTY AND WITH HELP OF BUDDIES LIFT THE FENCE ENOUGH TO SLIDE THE CASE OF CANNED FRUIT UNDER.
MADE A MISTAKE ONCE AND GOT A CASE OF SAUERKRAUT. THE GUYS OPENED IT AND WERE SHARING IT AND THE CAPTAIN CAME ON WITH THE BULL HORN AND SAID NOW WE KNOW YOU GUYS ARE STEALING FOOD.
SAW LOTS OF FLYING FISH. sam
I can't remember the first time I seen the Gulf, I was very young. But we lived close enough we could enjoy it more often. It is sickening thinking what is happening now. It is already showing up on Alabama's beaches. Can't even imagine what a hurricane in it would do. I hope and pray they get it under control soon. Take care and have a great weekend, Sheila
It was the sea I learned to swim, after three schools couldn't do that. Agree with you that it provides life long memories, mostly of a nice and kind nature. Please have you all a nice Friday.
Post a Comment