60+ year old thread.

You will love this one...white house memo to the pentagon,, Drop (So Help Me God ) From the enlistment oath of all services

 

Saw that in garage. Trying to not react...not surprised, it's been heading that way for a while.

 

Love it...That should be a public service announcement and posted throughout the cities!!!!

Feels like we are in a POW camp where they break down your spirits by taking away things that we take for granted and when your spirit is broken it supposedly makes you easier to control...

 

On quite a few levels.

Good morning all of you early risers. School is cancelled with snow on the way but not on the ground. I need to get to the gym early today, like right now.

 

Some of the vet sites are hot on this one.. In a way its sad but I just want to live long enough to see the redistribution of lead..Some things are worse then death.

 

I got something for 'em if they come to my door. I get frustrated, so sometimes I don't want say anything in an effort to keep my spirit intact. I'll go down fighting before my spirit breaks. SCREW 'EM!!!

Cap'n , you might have a point on the helo thing...just hate to see tax dollars spent on it for them.

Glad you got some deer.

Professor Protestalot sounds like those idiots we had in England. They were always trying to get on base and out onto the airfield to spray paint some antinuclear anti war yada yada yada on anything US Military related.

QUOTED FOR TRUTH. I'm there with you.

Good Morning folk...ya'll have a nice day now.

 

I emailed my friend and former Marine sergeant, Mrs. Mandy McCammon, who's currently serving as a Navy Public Affairs Officer, at midnight on 28 May. I asked Mandy if she had enough pull on any of the bases in San Diego to get me access for the day so I could give Bud, who served on USS Dewey (DD-349), a windshield tour.

The next day she sent me an email from the current USS Dewey (DDG 105)'s XO, CDR Mikael Rockstad, inviting us down to the ship two days later.

We linked up with Mandy outside Naval Base San Diego and carpooled to the pier where we were greeted by CMDCM Joe Grgetich and a squad-sized group of Sailors. Bud started to cry before the doors of the van opened. He'd been oohing and pointing at the cyclic rate as we approached the pier, but when we slowed down and Mandy said, "They're all here for you, Bud," he was overwhelmed.

After we were all out of the van directly in front of the Dewey, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, Petty Officer Simon introduced himself and said as the ship's Sailor of the Year he had the honor of pushing Bud's wheelchair for the day. Unbeknownst to us, they'd decided to host Bud aboard the Dewey, not at the Dewey. And so they carried him aboard. None of us expected him to go aboard the ship. I'd told him we were going down to the base and would have the chance to meet and greet a few of the Sailors from the new Dewey. He was ecstatic. The day before, he asked every few hours if we were "still going down to visit the boys from the Dewey," and "do they know I was on the Dewey, too?"

Once aboard, we were greeted by the CO, CDR Jake Douglas, the XO and a reinforced platoon-sized group of Sailors. To say it was overwhelming is an understatement. These men and women waited in line to introduce themselves to Bud. They shook his hand, asked for photos with him, and swapped stories. It was simply amazing.

They didn't just talk to him, they listened.

Bud's voice was little more than a weak whisper at this point and he'd tell a story and then GMC Eisman or GSCS Whynot would repeat it so all of the Sailors on deck could hear. In the midst of the conversations, Petty Officer Flores broke contact with the group. Bud was telling a story and CMDCM Grgetich was repeating the details when Flores walked back into view holding a huge photo of the original USS Dewey. That moment was priceless. Bud stopped mid-sentence and yelled, "There she is!" They patiently stood there holding the photo while he told them about her armament, described the way it listed after it was hit, and shared other details about the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

Bud finally admitted how tired he was after more than an hour on deck. While they were finishing up goodbyes and taking last minute photographs, GMC Eisman asked if it'd be OK to bring Sailors up to visit Bud in a few months after a Chief's board. I hadn't said it yet because I didn't want it to dampen the spirit of the day, but I quietly explained to GMC Eisman the reason we'd asked for the visit was simple: Bud was dying.

I told him they were welcome to come up any time they wanted, but I suspected Bud had about a month left to live. Almost without hesitation, he asked if the crew could provide the burial honors when the time came. I assured him that'd be an honor we'd welcome.

Leaving the ship was possibly more emotional than boarding.


Bud is piped ashore from USS Dewey (DDG 105). Photo submitted by Jennie Haskamp.




They piped him ashore. CMDCM Grgetich leaned in and quietly told me how significant that honor was and who it's usually reserved for as we headed towards the gangplank. Hearing "Electrician's Mate Second Class William Bud Cloud, Pearl Harbor Survivor, departing" announced over the 1MC was surreal.

Later that night Bud sat in his recliner, hands full of ship's coins and declared, "I don't care what you do with my power tools; you better promise you'll bury me with these."

He died 13 days later. For 12 of those 13 days he talked about the Dewey, her Sailors and his visit to San Diego. Everyone who came to the house had to hear the story, see the photos, hold the coins, read the plaques.

True to his word, GMC Eisman arranged the details for a full honors burial. The ceremony was simple yet magnificent. And a perfect sendoff for an ornery old guy who never, ever stopped being proud to be a Sailor. After the funeral, the Sailors came back to the house for the reception and spent an hour with the family. This may seem like a small detail, but it's another example of them going above and beyond the call of duty, and it meant more to the family than I can explain.

There are more photos, and I'm sure I missed a detail, or a name. What I didn't miss and will never forget, is how unbelievable the men and women of the USS Dewey were. They opened their ship and their hearts and quite literally made a dream come true for a dying Sailor.

They provided the backdrop for "This is the best day of my life, daughter. I never in my whole life dreamed I'd step foot on the Dewey again or shake the hand of a real life Sailor."

Without question, it's the best example of Semper Fidelis I've ever seen.

 

river rat, that was a very touching story. My hat's off to Bud.

It's a shame that every year there's less survivors of Pearl around. I think of those guys every time I drive by PH. Do you know that htey never covered up the bullet holes on the barracks at Hickam Field? It's an eerie feeling looking at them...

 

Jim,

Sincere thanks for sharing that. RIP Bud, SALUTE.

Cheech, saw the bullet holes at Hickam on a TDY in 2005; same time frame I visited the Arizona site. Very moving experience.

 

Mmmmm...pumpkin bread, right?

 

I have not been to the wall in DC yet But the AZ was something to see..Got to see the Az. in 1969. Slow day so had the ranger all to myself. Some of his story's were great & some real sad. Standing on the walkway in the covered room looking down at the decks underwater he told me if you look hard enough You can still see the boys faces.. He said the crew was offered the pearly gates but they all wanted to stay with her.

 

I've been to the wall in DC. That was very moving as well.

And I got that feeling when I visited the Arizona.

I also served as an escort for the Traveling Wall when it was up here previously. Interacting with Vietnam Vets and family member's of those whose names are on it was quite a moving experience as well.

 

Kind of funny that our peers were the ones trying to shame us because we did the right thing and served. Now their children and grandchildren understand the sacrifices any military man or woman makes when they put on the uniform. Took me until the early 80's to figure out I did the right thing and my friends were wrong. I am slow at times.

Our church is looking at positive missions to undertake this year and one is to adopt a Maryland unit that will be deployed this summer. I am going to try my best to make it happen.

 

At least when you finally get it, you get it RIGHT.

Sorry Tom, I couldn't help but poke a little fun...you know you're loved.

 

I wanted to go before I was old enough. Dad did 30 years & did not want me in V.N. but I said I had to go. Looking back I lost half my friends from H.S. cuz they were into all the anti-war stuff. Just a real tough time on the USA. Funny as time went on & most grew up and wanted to be friends again, the only thing I could say was fuck you. I've never changed my love for the USA or our vets.I would pack and go today if I was asked...Would love to add a taliban ear to my stash.

 

In case I haven't mentioned it lately, You guys are awesome! Thank you. SALUTE.

 

Wonderful story Jim. RIP Bud. and Salute to the men and woman who helped make his day special.

 

Damn Sue, there goes my diet!!!