Influenced
Hugh
Posted 2009-03-24 3:32 AM (#25294)


Senior Crew

Posts: 160

Location: Hillsboro, OR
Subject: Influenced

When I was a 5th-6th grader I lived with my family in USMC Camp LeJune NC Military housing. I broke a neighbor's window during a rock fight with some other kids - (I guess we'd all be in counseling today) - and some hours later I went back and left a note with my name and admission that I had done it.
I didn't tell my folks what I had done.
Some time later in the evening of that day our neighbor knocked on our door, and I heard him talking to my folks. I was sure the world was about to end.
Dad called me downstairs.
The neighbor asked me if the note was my own writing. I replied yes sir. He then handed me the rock, a photograph of a submarine with the inscription "To a courageous young man" signed Cdr. XXX CO (come to think of it why was a Submarine CO in LeJune in the late 50's? - SEAL beginnings?)
Along with the picture was a test tube with a slug of Mercury - (I know we would ALL be in jail if this happened today) - With a note that asked me to come back in a week and tell him what I knew about "liquid metal"
Made me go to the library the bastard did.
I gave him an answer - I have no idea today if it was correct or not - but I remember his response "Are you sure?" I said "yes SIR".
He told me that he would allow me to be one of his Submarine sailors, he only wanted MEN he could trust.
That will stick with you.....
Sean705
Posted 2009-03-24 6:11 AM (#25298 - in reply to #25294)


Mess cooking

Posts: 14

Subject: RE: Influenced

Wow! Thank you for sharing that, that's an awesome story!
Buff
Posted 2009-03-25 9:47 PM (#25338 - in reply to #25294)
Crew

Posts: 71

Location: Lakeview, OR
Subject: RE: Influenced

Thanks for the story, Hugh. It brings a smile to one's face. God bless the old submarine salts that touched our lives and we followed.

Best Regards,

Buff
Gil
Posted 2009-12-17 9:02 PM (#33143 - in reply to #25294)
Master and Commander

Posts: 1645

Subject: RE: Influenced

Thanks for sharing!
Don Gentry
Posted 2011-07-08 12:12 AM (#49250 - in reply to #25294)


Admin

Posts: 2316

Location: Renton, WA
Subject: RE: Influenced

Nice job Hugh...