Prok; Thanks for the kind remarks; It  was because of the crew,who all seemed to be together, that made SEGUNDO (Second to none )the best boat I was on. The time the CO.Rex Maier chewed my ass out for changing the menu without his permission. He said " I want a copyof the menu in front of me every day, so I can see if you have substituted..
Shit he signed the fucking menu, he should have known what was in it. Anyway I was trying to figure out what to do??? We were in the Philippines, and I went ashore(remember not often, I don't think) and bought one of those little brass hands that had the middle finger extended. Well, Sturtzie baby  took that little hand, mounted it on a brass base, took a file and filed down under the finger nail of that middle finger enough, so that the menu for a meal could be inserted in it. Looking at the CO from the Supply Officers seat, with that hand-middle finger extended, was like my hand in front of him with the menu inserted.. Shit he LOVED it and said "just don't have it out there when guest's are coming aboard. Well hell we were going to operate with the Airdales for a while and went up to their base and anchored off. (I don't remember the name of the base. Well shit, It was one of those  Westpac nights,the Airdales had a party at  their BOQ, big air flight thermos jugs (five gallon ones) filled with MAI TAI'S-  I must have had TOO many.  The next morning, the topside watch called down ,"Captains Gig approaching". What the hell? I WAS THE DUTY OFFICER, and nobody told me anything about this.. Well, they all came aboard. the Commodore of the Airwing. The Captain of the Wing and all of there families. they said "We are here for LUNCH"--Shit all these VIP'S and not enough room in the Wardroom.. I told the CO "I will eat in the crews mess". He Said "The hell you will, YOU are the one that Invited them. Well we did all eat in the Wardroom and I had the little hand sitting in front of the Captain.. The Commodore thought it was funny anyway.

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