Fair Winds and Following Seas!

 

On January 21, 2022, Spud was promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG, 02). He had been an Ensign (ENS, 01) for two years. His promotion was right on track.

Old rank of Ensign 

 New rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade

The Colonel, Spud's fiancée and I attended the ceremony which was held aboard Spud's ship, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) in the wardroom because of inclement weather. 

Ship's crest, photo and rank images from the Internet

Spud gave us a quick lesson on how to board the ship before we stepped onto the gangplank. We had to walk partway up the gangplank, face the U.S. flag on the fantail, pause for a few seconds, continue up the gangplank and ask permission to come aboard before stepping onto the ship. A ship's bell was rung when The Colonel came aboard and his presence was announced over the ship's loudspeaker. He was the highest ranking person on board at the time.

Spud took us to the wardroom and soon after we arrived, it began to fill up with other sailors who wanted to be present for Spud's promotion. There was little room left when Spud's Captain and Executive Officer arrived.

The promotion ceremony was a short one. There was to be another sailor being promoted along with Spud, but she was ill and could not attend. After the ship's captain said a few words, Spud raised his right hand and renewed his oath of office.

The Colonel, Spud's fiancée and I pinned Spud's new rank onto his uniform.

When he had his new rank on, Spud then said a few words to those in the ward room. 

Spud's new rank.

Proud parents and fiancée.

Spud's captain granted him permission to give The Colonel, Spud's fiancée and I a tour of the ship. We climbed up and down narrow, metal stairs and stepped over bulkheads as we toured the ship (sorry, no pics of inside of the ship). Before we toured the ship's deck, Spud had us put his new rank on his jacket. It was still windy and a bit damp out.

After the promotion ceremony, we all headed back to the house so that Spud could change into civilian clothes before we went out for a celebratory lunch (we had the most delicious ramen bowl meal I have ever had...nothing at all like the ramen we all had during our college days). While back at the house, we gave Spud his promotion gift.

The Colonel's dad was in the navy during the Korean War, and when Spud sent us a picture of himself aboard his ship, The Colonel remembered seeing a picture of his dad taken 68 years earlier aboard his ship. The pictures were strikingly similar. That's when The Colonel had the idea to make the gift for Spud. He enlisted Yam's help to "meld" the two pictures together and then had the results printed on canvas. Spud was thrilled with his gift.

Both Spud and his Gpa have their work uniforms on and there is a ship, a destroyer in the background of each picture. Spud's Gpa passed away about a year before Spud entered the navy. He would have been so very happy for and proud of him. He would have loved Spud's gift too.

The Colonel and I were extremely delighted to be able to attend Spud's promotion. Next rank is Lieutenant, those two years will fly by!

Fair Winds and Following Seas to the new Lieutenant, Junior Grade! 

My Blue-Eyed Brother

Michael Anthony

May 2, 1966 - January 12, 2022

About three weeks ago, I made a trip back to Indiana. It had been just over two years since I had last been there. I was going back for my younger brother Michael's funeral. He had battled heart disease for many years. He was 55 years old.

Michael was my only blue-eyed brother. His eyes were a beautiful, icy blue.

He graduated from high school in 1984 and joined the U.S. Army and served with the 101st Airborne stationed in Germany.

I remember getting a large envelope in the mail back then. It had come from Germany. Inside was an 8x10 photograph of a beautiful German cow. My brother Michael had taken the photograph, had it enlarged and surprised me by sending it. I collected cow statues and things at the time. What a very thoughtful thing Michael did. 

I have another very fond memory of Michael. We were at a country/western bar-dance hall (I cannot remember the name) and he taught me the Texas Two-Step. Michael was a very good dancer and a patient teacher (I love to dance, so I was a quick study). When we danced, it was as if we were both weightless and glided across the dance floor. It seemed like we were one being, seamless in our movements. I had never experienced dancing like that before and probably never will again. Thank you Michael. 

As you could probably deduce from the hat, shirt and jacket Michael is wearing in the first photo, he had Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He loved to ride and had motorcycles for many years.

Michael and his wife Lisa were married for 32 years. They have two beautiful children, Jessica and Sean.

Michael and his family would come down to Florida and stay with us. They visited us while we lived in Key West and the Panhandle. We also took a trip to New Orleans together.

About 2-1/2 years ago, Michael became a grandfather. He liked to be called Pop-Pop. His son's wife gave birth to a boy and they named him Thorton Michael. He was Michael's most beloved grandson.

Michael's funeral service was lovely. Many family members and friends came and paid their respects. My dear friend, Kim came. It was so good to see her. Her younger sister was a friend of Michael's. It was very touching to hear the heartfelt words spoken about my brother. As we get older, move away and get busy with our own family lives, we sometimes miss parts of our siblings lives. It was wonderful to hear how my brother's life and love touched others and to see how many good friends he had. My sweet, blue-eyed brother.

All but one of my siblings was able to attend Michael's funeral. Two sisters drove up from Georgia, one brother drove in from Iowa, another brother still lives in Indiana and did not have far to drive, another sister drove up from Florida when she learned of Michael's death to help out Lisa and I flew in from Florida. Lisa had us all stay with her. She said she felt Michael's spirit was with us while we were all together. Michael would have wanted it that way too. It was so good to see my siblings again. I love you guys!

My youngest brother played the bagpipes for Michael when everyone arrived at the cemetery. Among some of the songs he played were the U.S. Army song and Notre Dame's fight song. Michael was a big Fighting Irish fan.

There was a gun salute as well, as Michael was buried with full military honors.

My two brown-eyed brothers saying their goodbyes to Michael.

We all went back to Michael and Lisa's house once the graveside ceremony was finished. Lisa had mountains of bar-b-que and all the fixings catered in and it was all ready when we arrived. It was good to sit, talk, visit and eat. 

It feels sad and strange to have one of the eight gone now. When one of your siblings passes away, it makes your mortality so much more real. I love you Michael, say hello to Mom and Dad.

Our family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one

the chain will link again.

-Ron Trammer @ loveliveson.com

(Many of the photos were copied from Michael's Facebook page and those of his children. I ask for permission now as well as forgiveness for their use)