jeff_is_smiling
Flirtin' an' stalkin'
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2002
- Posts
- 105,291
Back when I was stationed in Pearl Harbor (around 1979 time frame) on board the submarine, USS George Washington, I was "volunteered" to be a tour guide on an old WWII sub that was open to the public. It was for a special occasion - a reunion of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from the submarine service.
We were to stand at parade rest for the ceremony (the reading of the commendation for each living member present at the ceremony), then go down to the sub and take our positions for the public tour.
I went back aft and waited. A few people asked some questions - a few of those I actually had answers for. Then this small older woman in a flowery dress came up to me and asked a few questions. She was extremely pleasant and curious.
At one point she asked me a question I had no chance of answering, and told her that I had a pretty limited amount of knowledge of this boat - the nuclear technology I was used to was really different than WWII technology. So, she said, "That's OK, I'll get my husband - he'll know the answer."
GREAT! Some old WWII vet will make me look like a total ass...GREAT!
Then this elderly man shows up....I immediately see the faded light blue ribbon with the stars at his throat and the medal hanging from it on his chest....he was one of the medal of honor recipients...and he was giving ME a quick lesson on the boat!
I was too astonished to say anything other than thank you...then he and his wife walked arm-in-arm down the passageway forward.
I will never forget how I felt and saw....just seeing him made a lump form in my throat...as they walked away, I felt like crying....an amazing moment.
Cherish Memorial day and weekend...many heroes still live....
We were to stand at parade rest for the ceremony (the reading of the commendation for each living member present at the ceremony), then go down to the sub and take our positions for the public tour.
I went back aft and waited. A few people asked some questions - a few of those I actually had answers for. Then this small older woman in a flowery dress came up to me and asked a few questions. She was extremely pleasant and curious.
At one point she asked me a question I had no chance of answering, and told her that I had a pretty limited amount of knowledge of this boat - the nuclear technology I was used to was really different than WWII technology. So, she said, "That's OK, I'll get my husband - he'll know the answer."
GREAT! Some old WWII vet will make me look like a total ass...GREAT!
Then this elderly man shows up....I immediately see the faded light blue ribbon with the stars at his throat and the medal hanging from it on his chest....he was one of the medal of honor recipients...and he was giving ME a quick lesson on the boat!
I was too astonished to say anything other than thank you...then he and his wife walked arm-in-arm down the passageway forward.
I will never forget how I felt and saw....just seeing him made a lump form in my throat...as they walked away, I felt like crying....an amazing moment.
Cherish Memorial day and weekend...many heroes still live....
