Hafa adai yan Memorias,
Hope all is well with you and your family. As we get closer to home and
close the final curtain to my last at sea period while in this Great
Navy of ours; I am reminded again of why I have been doing this for the
past 23 plus years. I have all of you to be thankful for your years of
support and encouragement. This is not an easy job though most would
think I've been in this outfit long enough to just point fingers and
make things happen. Believe me when I say, I make every penny of your tax dollars count. I still aim to ensure that my replacement before I
retire are well trained with ample military discipline and resounding
integrity.
Its almost time for me to retire my seabag and return ashore for my last
2 years of shore duty. I tried to stay out here at the "Tip of the
Spear" longer however my time has come to return to shore. Its funny
how sometimes things happen for a reason. I have been selected to
receive orders to Key West Florida. Maybe it's a sign, that Im really
going to retire. And of all places-an island of the Keys in Florida. I
better go find my rubba slippas, oil up my fishing reel, sharpen up my
fishing spears, and get signed up for SCUBA classes. Someone suggested I get a boat so I just get off the island when a hurricane comes around rather than drive that long bridge. Of all places I get to go to a resort island at the tip of Florida. Im sorry but someone got to do
this hard and dirty job. I need to get my golf clubs cleaned from the
last round of game. I guess it's the Navy's way of rewarding me for the
productive years of service.
Ok so I digress. I wish I could stay longer and do more to keep our war
fighting front strong. Once again Thank You for all the support and
encouragement you've provided (no matter how small). You've kept me
company out here and help me deal with all this madness that I deal on a daily basis. I can't thank you all enough for what you've done for me.
Whether you've put a smile on my face, made me think of great times
we've had or even convinced me to go a bit easy on a Sailor who needs
some military attitude alignment. Its been real and its been fun.
Finally I get more time photographing while in Key West. I look forward
to keep in contact with you all. If anyone of you should get a chance
to wander as far as Florida, then please come visit me so we can enjoy
some seafood on the grill, some brew and if I still got some Sake or
Umeshu left from Japan. You're all welcome to enjoy with me the nice
tropical weather of Key West on my waterfront porch.
