In the Navy

— Swim with the Fishes —

Reverse Engines~Put on the Brakes~Toss a Life Saver

Naval Lore: Bell Bottoms tied together puffed as air-filled 'Flotations.' Who would have known?

— Sea~C~Stories from this 'Old Salt' —

Flotation Devices originated from Naval uniform flared bottom Bell Bottom pants. Bell Bottoms were not the infamous Claim-to-Fame from the Sonny & Cher 'Hippie' fashion statement of the 60's. They were devised for men overboard as instant Life Savers; no shark bait here.

While experiencing a one-time short ocean cruise aboard a large destroyer ship I became seasick. Dramamine was only provided to those on fancy-expensive cruise lines. I tried to hold onto the rail, to no avail. Half of my military service was in the reserves. Every year we went on a (2) week cruise, or simply to a yearly obligated work-credit station, similar to civilian j.o.b.'s continuing education credits. Although most think, as Naval G.I.'s, that all personnel were assigned to on-board ship duty ~ wrong.

Once, while on my annual reservist (2) week cruise, at the salvage docks of San Pedro Naval boat yard. I was deployed to a wooden 'Mine-Sweeper' hoisted way up with elaborate steel scaffolds to repair the hull and to remove barnacles: Though I was never referred to as Barnacle-Bill the weekend wonder reserve Sailor; at least not to my face.

My Wife dropped me off at the docks so she could use my car she fancied while I was away. She was always nervous driving it with me as a back-seat advisor; don't know why. I was excited to have her take a pic of me looking over the railing of the small ship. But I asked her to ‘Aim-High’ so the steel lift scaffolds jacking it up underneath wouldn’t be shown. Come-on, I know I was trying to look like a 'real' Sailor for my 'Kids Someday.'

Never to see deep sea Naval oceans' waves. However, I was familiar with Navy female personnel, who were referred to as 'Waves.' I bought a house using the G.I. Bill on the Long Beach Canal that included a small boat slip in the front yard. I found an eBay advertised 21 ft. day cruiser that cozied right into it.

I'd regularly go out behind the breakwater early in the morning, with my Corgi dutifully at the stern, and cruise on the waveless low tide ocean at that time of day; while experiencing the smooth and sweetly refreshing sea salt spray that splashed at our faces as a wakeup call - how cool is that! So, if they wouldn't let me on their boats, I bought my own..!

~ Memories Build the Bridge Between Mind and Heart ~

Spending a year overseas; aka 'Shore Duty' - I know that the Youngins may not relate, but there was no communication other than 'Snail-Mail.' An expression that surely wasn't even a glimmer in Mr. Webster's Vocabulary in those days. Odd how we just got by - No instant gab or FaceTime there.

The ham radio was the only time we could hear one another's voices; but very garbled. It took (+/-) over a week to receive, always much anticipated, 'Mail-Call.' And, of course, we were never happy if we were 'Mail-Less' any time hand-outs were loudly dispersed.

Un-Told Confession: I still have cherished back-forth letters exchanged with my late wife that I triple-bagged in my garage closet. I just couldn't think of tossing them but I haven't looked at them in years.

There is a saying among writers, “What we leave out can be as important as what we leave in” –“It's easier to fool someone than it is to convince them that they've been fooled.”

Yes, slippery deck sea sickness caused an accidental tip overboard - I'm Test Positive Living Proof of this Bell Bottom Phenomenon ~ Surprise-Surprise...!

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California

'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -