After 34 years of marriage and more than a few times visiting aboard ship for Diane, on the 1st of November we embarked on an “At-Sea” period aboard USS NewYork. It was a really great opportunity for us to be part of the ceremony.  On Sunday, a USMC CH 47 picked us up at the South St. Heliport in NYC and took us on a 45-minute flight out to the ship in formation with another helo. After landing on the ship, we got to spend the next 24 hours with a full run of the ship getting to do and see as much as we wanted. It was shades of youngster cruise for me as we berthed in the enlisted quarters for the embarked troops. But this ship is a far cry from the SHREVEPORT in 1972. Since I was one of only two former Naval Officers in my berthing space, it was fun watching the visiting civilians trying to understand the bunks, the showers, and what Taps meant. One couple informed the ship that they wanted to be in the same suite. (Their “suites”were separated by 3 levels and 52 frames.) I got to wake up at 0300 when we lost a generator and the silence was deafening. Since we had a 0400 reveille for a 0700 “man the rails” that worked out anyway.

We had an outstanding time being with the sailors and marines on board. They treated us like first class VIPs (of which we were not since former SecNav Gordon England and NY Jets owners were aboard).  Diane was fast adopted by the crew and embarked marines because she wanted to crawl aboard every tank, helo and LCAC as well as play with every rocket launcher or sniper rifle these guys had. I don’t think they often see some civilian lady wanting to crawl into the engine room to see how it all works. But she is a great Navy wife and they loved her. Needless to say, we could not express to them how much we loved and admired them for the hard work they do. These “kids” are fantastic in their devotion to the Navy, the Marine Corps and the United States. I think they are just amazed when someone outside their division chief shows a real interest in what they are doing.

There were many highlights for the trip. Besides the helo ride,we got to watch LCAC launches from the well deck (they had to go out and pick up Mayor Blumberg). Our entrance to NY was greeted by fireboats with red, white and blue streams of water. We sailed by the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson escorted by all sorts of civilian and government vessels. Obviously manning the rails as we rode into NY Harbor for our 21-gun salute at the site of the WTC was momentous and very emotional. One of the other highlights was hosting part of the chief ’s mess for dinner at a little Italian restaurant in NYC. It provided a new record bar bill for me. This was a trip of a lifetime and something Diane and I will remember forever. If you are interested in the full version of the trip, just let Diane know and she will be happy to run through every picture on her i-Touch for you. However now she wants to take a trap and a cat shot aboard an aircraft carrier.

Mike, thank you and Zeiders Enterprises for an outstanding service for our country!  Elsewhere, Pat Gottschalk, former Virginia secretary of commerce and trade, has joined the law firm of Williams Mullen. Pat’s practice focuses on business law and corporate transactions.

Brian Weaver checked in after a 35-year break. His son Tyler was commissioned after completing a Mechanical Engineering degree from Clarkson University. He then attended Field Artillery Basic Officer Course at Fort Sill OK. Wrong service, but the Weavers could not be prouder. Ty’s brother Dan (Ph.D. in Biophysics from Michigan) also witnessed the ceremony.

Photo #2:  Weavers on Commissioning Day at Ft. Lewis, WA

Andy Howard is returning to the surgeons for repair to his incisional hernia. Fourth time is the charm! He asked if they could incorporate some Kevlar so he would be bullet proof, but the request was summarily disapproved.

Denis Powers was in Dallas in January and sought out Dave Corley. Denis and his wife of 35 years, Karen, live in Annapolis. Karen had been full-time caregiver for her mother in their home for 10 years until her passing a year ago—now back to just the two of them. Both are busy with multiple home improvement projects.  Denis also keeps a close eye on his 87-year-old Dad, a Navy veteran of the Pacific in WWII. He currently works as a GS-15 for the Air Force(!) managing classified acquisition programs. In his spare time he plays golf and has been section-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Dave lives in north Dallas with wife Renee, daughter Erika, and son Walker, who is in the college hunt. Dave is an engineer at Cisco,working on cloud computing. His interests include golf and working on bringing USS DALLAS (SSN 705) to Dallas once she’s de-commissioned.

Photo #3:  Corley and Powers do lunch

The class offers condolences to Eileen and Chris McCarthy after the death of their 19-year-old son Connor. Connor was born with severe neurological impairment, but far exceeded his life expectancy. To quote Chris,“Connor lived to be an example of a pure soul, unfettered by the concerns which so often cloud our lives. He provided a window into the soul of a true innocent, never once wanting, but always smiling and loving. For this experience we are grateful.”

Photo #4:  Walking and holding hands.  First time in more than a year.