What I did on my summer vacation

Craig,

I was designated an Aviation Electronics Technician Radar abbreviated as ATR though after school I never worked on radar. I was in intermediate maintenance both on shore and aboard the ship though attached to an A-6 squadron out of Whidbey Island, Washington. I primarily worked on a "package" of electronics boxes that included a UHF radio, Tactical air navigation (TACAN), and ID Friend or Foe (IFF). At that time we typically troubleshot down to the component level where as now they only go down to the board/card level. We all were part of the team to accomplish the mission just like in all military venues.
 
One more pic before I head to bed - my daughter is getting married tomorrow so I need my sleep.

Thanks to all for the good thoughts. I did what thousands of others have done and will do - some for patriotic reasons, some for reasons all their own. It was an experience that I would repeat in a second if I had it to do all over again.


I saw this posted on a door (yes, this was a door not a hatch) near the fantail. It really brings home how we who have been in the Navy feel towards one another.

View attachment shipmate.jpg

View attachment shipmate.jpg
 
Great tale Pete.I particularly liked the meeting with your neighbors daughter.I remember the times the Kitty Hawk was on statiion off Viet Nam.Thanks
 
Wow. Big event today! I wish your daughter the very best. I hope the wedding goes great for your daughter and your whole family.

Tough day for dad though eh? Wonder how I'll do when my daughter has her big day?. Think I'll be kind of sentimental thinking of all the times we spent together; classic "Daddy's little girl".

All the best!
 
Pete,

What a great post...

My family and I had the opportunity to tour the Midway a week or so after it opened as a museum. What a great way to tell the military's story. Hopefully USS Kitty Hawk will find a similar fate.

Thank you for your service,

Bill
 
Pete

Thanks for your service in the canoe club. You had a tremendous experience on both tours that evokes many remembrances for me also.

I grew up the son of a Navy man who enlisted during WWII, enrolled in college with GI benefits and he was reactivated for Korea and decided to make a career of it. He retired as a Captain after 31 years. Not many go from enlisted radioman to full bird Captains anymore. He set his final sail this summer. I was 35 years old before I realized that the Star-Spangled Banner doesn't really end with BEAT ARMY!

Speaking of uniforms I have his original uniform and flat top cap from 1943 and his dress uniform with medals and sword from 1974. How things changed during that tour. Those uniforms command a lot of respect. One of my favorite stories, is that after my fathers funeral this summer, my 19 year old son asked for his dress uniform cap as a remembrance. He is a firefighter so he has a military-like haircut and a very fit body. He flew across country carrying my Dad's uniform cap (Captain's cap has a visor decorated with gold scrambled eggs) with his carry-on bag. He had flight attendants offering to buy him drinks, older veterans thanking him and several younger guys who were obviously military trying to figure out how such a young guy could be a captain. He when he got home I think he had a new respect for what his grandfather had accomplished and who he was.

Brad
 
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