Page 110 - People & Places In Time

the end of our tour, while in Subic Bay, the Philippines, a fire on board ship caused water damage to much of the photographic record I had made, an irreplaceable loss. I only have memories of the experience of a lifetime.
Anyway, with the Marines aboard we returned south through the Sea of Japan directly into a typhoon. What should have been frightening was exciting and fun. As it happened, I had the watch. I stood before the wheel and compass, at the helm not for the first time and I did know what I was doing watching the huge waves crash into the bow then break over the top and along the length of the ship. I could feel the ship shudder as it slid down the wave and off course. Gradually I learned to compensate with the wheel. Watching the compass and anticipating the waves approach I could turn the wheel into the wave just enough to slide the ship back to right on course with ease, then wait for the next wave to rise up in front of the ship. Really exciting and so much fun steer-
ing a large ship into the storm waves raging taller than the ship.
Then came one day while standing at the ships rail, I’m looking down at my Dad and Mom standing on a San Diego Naval Station pier as we dock. Standing near by are Jack and Ada Keyes, Johns parents. They are here to wel- come us home as we disembark and join them for the ride to their hotel and our first real bed in ten months. But first things first, I change out of uniform and borrow the car to find a Der Weinerschnitzel for a Kraut and a Chilly Dog . . . some things are missed more than others.
That evening we enjoy our homecoming celebra- tion with our parents and dinner at the Bali Hi on Shelter Island. The adventure is nearly through.
In July of 1968 I’m discharged and driving home to Exeter with no plan for the rest of my life
At left John Keyes with his father Jack Keyes ~ in the right side of the picture are me seated with my father behind me. at the Bali High restaurant, on the eve- ning of our return from Vietnam. We still wore a tie and sport coat then.
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