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 Author  Topic: just thinking
EARL RICHMOND

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of EARL RICHMOND  Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 6:45am
i know this has no relevance to anything but as i get older i tend to think more of the "old days" on the boats.how many left have thought about when they were going out on opatrol about how beautiful the sunsets were?how the sun rising in the mornings above the oceam brought a glimmer of life back into us that we have survived to another.when we saw the sunset how many thought it might be our last one and said a silent prayer for ourselves and our shipmates.when there was a moon we did not always think that we were able to be spotted by the enemy.we sometimes thought that same moon was also shining above our loved ones back home.when wei miss you all earl

earl richmond

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 8:17am
This is a beautiful shared thought Earl. I am sure everyone here on the message board can appreciate this. We young guys that were never there, do not think of this when we research the boats. We are so wrapped up in how guns worked, or engines ran, or torpedo's fired, that sometimes we do not stop to think of the personel side of the common PT Boat Sailor. We do not take into consideration his thoughts about going into battle, or his reaction under fire. We do not think of how he feels about losing shipmates, or what his thoughts are about his loved ones back home. I am very happy that you shared this with us Earl, it certainly brings us back to the reality of War..........


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Will Day

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Will Day   Send Email To Will Day Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 8:29am
Thanks for sharing, Earl.......And thanks for serving.

Will

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 2:32pm
Hi Earl: I recall very well facing those beautiful sunsets on the way west from Green to patrol New Britain and New Ireland. It was about a 3 hour run and we made those patrols quite often. I also remember the sunrises on the way back next morning after a night of no sleep. Glad the patrol was over and all our crew safe. No worry about float planes and shore batteries. I also remember when land was sighted at Green - the big race - as all the boats in the section pulled in line - opened all three Packards wide open to see who could get to the entrance of the lagoon first. We were always anxious to get refueled, guns cleaned and then we could hit the sack for some sleep. Ready to do it all over again the next night if our boat was called.

I also recall patrols when the sea was so rough that we had to stand up with flexed knees and hold on to the radar mast. (I have had one knee replaced already) Everything in the crews quarters would be thrown out of the bunks and into the floor. The boat would plow into the waves and water would come over the bow 1-2 foot deep. The screws would come out of the water and the engines would rev up. The skipper at the wheel had to face all that spray. It was a game for young kids. Us old men can reminisce about it now.

C. J. Willis

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Will Day

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Will Day   Send Email To Will Day Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 2:33pm
You are the man, C.J.

Will

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Mark Culp

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Mark Culp   Send Email To Mark Culp Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 3:30pm
Just thinking…..keep thinking brother….keep thinking…..I like it.


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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 4:05pm
Thanks C. J. These are the thoughts that mean a great deal to us young guys that were not there. I can only imagine riding a 78 foot wooden boat in those terrible seas, things crashing about, and holding on for dear life..........


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EARL RICHMOND

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of EARL RICHMOND  Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 4:31pm
BOB HOPE ,JERRY COLONA,FRANCIS LANGFORD AT EMMIRAU////KAYE KYSER AT TACLOBAN///THE "SERVICE"HOTEL OFF THE PIER AT NEW CALEDONIA///THE NATIVE BOYS WITH " I HAVE A SISTER"///MAKINK HOME MADE FISHING HOOKS AND USING THAT HARD CHEESE FOR BAIT///SHOPOOTING AT FLYING FISH ON WAY BACK TO BASE ON WAY BACK FROM PATRO////HOME MADE ALKY---RAISIN JACK AND BRANDY @ 30.00 A QUART///THE CHOW LINE @ TREASURY,GREEN.THE EVERY NIGHT AIR RAIDS AT GREEN,TREASURY AND STERLING// THE WOMP-WOMP OF BOMBS EXPLODINMG 24/7 AT MUNDA///WASHING CLOTHES IN THE BOATS ROOSTER TAIL///YTHE NATIVE HEAD HUNTERS///SCREAMING NOISES IN THE JUNGLE AT NIGHT///EXTERMINATING RATSA AND ROACHES FROM THE BOAT///THE HARD WORK OF OVERHAUL///COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FOOD---HEATND HUMIFITY///RACING ACROSS EACH OTHERS WAKE TO PICK UP SPEED///ALL THE INSECTS WERE GIANTS//WASHING OUT OF OOUR HELMITS. OK VETS ADD TO THIS LIST.MY BRAIN IS STARTING TO HURT

earl richmond

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Allan

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Allan   Send Email To Allan Posted on: Oct 26, 2010 - 7:58pm
Wonderful stuff, Guys.

The boats were just boats, really, but you men (boys at that time) made the reputations and put fear where it needed to go. A salute to those who didn't make it home-- and another to those who did. You are all heroes- not because of what you did, but simply because you did what you were called upon to do with passion and compassion, with fear in your own hearts, with a loneliness so deep that it hurt. You served a common purpose during an uncommon time and returned to re-establish a normalcy that would serve you throughout your lives- rarely, if ever, speaking the unspeakable. You guys are (and were) the greatest!

I thank each of you for your service. I wish I could have known enough earlier so that I could have thanked my father, as well.

Allan


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Randy Finfrock

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Randy Finfrock   Send Email To Randy Finfrock Posted on: Oct 27, 2010 - 8:35pm
Allan, very well said. Thanks Earl & CJ for sharing these remembrances. I can almost see the images you describe; the salt-spray of the rooster tails; the sunrises & sunsets; like on the silver screen. I am enjoying hearing your stories. Thank you again for serving our country and for giving us the straight-poop of how it was.


Randy Finfrock

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