While trying to stay out of the wind yesterday I reviewed my email and one in particular stood out. It was a group of pictures taken in the Pacific Theater in World War II. see the pictures here Picture number 46 and several after it really peaked my interest because they were of LST's, which is the type ship I served on while in the service. The landing ship tank or as we called them 'long, slow, target' was an amphibious ship designed to land troops and supplies on the beach. Seeing the pictures aroused some memories and I had to see how the LST's were faring in the modern Navy. Well they aren't, they've gone the way of the cavalry. The last LST was decommissioned in 2002. Okay, so what happened to signalman? I was a signalman, which is the guy who communicated with other ships by flashing light, semaphore and flag hoists. Well, it seems that they have disappeared too. The last signalman was declassified in 2003. They've gone the way of the pony soldier. Can you imagine, both the ship I served on and the rating I held are no longer a part of the Navy. I guess at this point reenlistment is out of the question.
Today the wind has finally quit and it's nice and calm. The mail I'm waiting for should be here today or tomorrow and I have an appointment with an eye doctor on Wednesday. After that I should be ready to make my way north. Of course in the meantime I'll be enjoying the good life.
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