As always, Ihopethis finds youand yourloved onessafe anddoing well, especially duringthesedifficultand challenging times.Undoubtedly, the speed at which events havechanged life as we know it,not only here in America,butall around the world,has beenliterallybreathtakingandwill no doubt lead to much discussion atreunion #46.
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Source: Aerograph February 2025
Greetings everybody,
I hope this finds you safe and doing well, and
that you had a beautiful holiday season with family and friends.
We’re already a month into the New Year and
Reunion 48 is rapidly approaching. I am really looking forward to having a
wonderful time and sharing a few sea stories with those of you who can attend.
Robert and FJ Cutting are putting in a lot of work towards making this a fun
and memorable gathering. Hotel lodging instructions and tentative schedule of
events are on pages 17 and 18. There are
still a few moving parts so I will email everyone the registration form and
finalized schedule of events, including costs, sometime in March after Robert finalizes everything. Please don’t forget to email Robert after making hotel
reservations so he can keep track on number of attendees.
Smitty
Thursday, 24 April 2025, is the cut-off date for the May issue of The Aerograph.
E-Mail Steve at sumisus@mac.com
USPS Address: AG1 Steven Smith, USN (Ret.)
750 Avenida De La Barca
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(571) 278-5259 (If I don’t answer, please leave
a message and I’ll get back to you ASAP)
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In lighter vein: © Jeff Bacon 2016
EDITOR’S CLOSING
THOUGHTS
To be perfectly honest, there are
times when my synapses do not fire on all cylinders, the present time being one
of them. So rather than fight it, I’ll just go with it and close this issue out
with a short read my dear friend, longtime retired LCDR Jerry McNutt, shared
with me. I hope it brings you a smile.
The Joys and Wisdom of Getting Older
George Phillips, an elderly man
from Walled Lake, Michigan, was going up to bed when his wife told him that
he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom
window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that
there were people in the shed stealing things.
He phoned the
police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" He said
"No, but some people broke into my garden shed and are stealing from me." The police dispatcher said "All
patrols are busy; lock your doors
and an officer will be along when one is available."
George said,
"Okay." He hung up the phone and counted to 30, then phoned the
police again. "Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because
there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don't have to
worry about them now because I just shot and killed them both and the dogs are
eating them as we speak" and he hung up.
Within five
minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips'
residence, and caught the
burglars red-handed.
One of the Policemen said to
George, "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"
George said, "I thought
you said there was nobody available!"
True Story ......Don’t Mess With Old People!
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Source: Aerograph November 2024
Greetings everybody,
I hope everyone had a great summer and this
finds you safe and well. This production of the Aerograph was a fun one. It was
kind of like putting a jigsaw puzzle together and for you dissectologists, you
know the feeling of putting that last piece in place!
As you will see, the variety of member contributions
for this issue is awesome! And I am thrilled to introduce a new section titled ‘At Large Member News’ as presented by NWSA member Dennis Ruth. Not only did Dennis
send me a wonderful introduction, he contributed the very first article. You
will find both immediately after ‘Chapter
News’.
I’d like to thank all contributors for making
this edition of the Aerograph a publication all our shipmates can enjoy and
take pride in. Well done!
Smitty
Thursday, 25 January 2025, is the cut-off date for the February issue of The Aerograph.
E-Mail Steve at sumisus@mac.com
USPS Address: AG1 Steven Smith, USN (Ret.)
750
Avenida De La Barca
Chula
Vista, CA 91910
(571) 278-5259 (If I don’t answer, please leave
a message and I’ll get back to you ASAP)
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In lighter vein: © Jeff Bacon 2017
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Sitting here writing this, I can’t help but think of how quickly the year has passed and about the uncertainty of things to come. Election drama and chaos, natural disasters, cultural upheaval, you name it. It seems rare anymore when a day passes without something on the 5 O’clock news not leaving one speechless or shaking their head in disbelief. Perhaps that’s why I watch much less news these days. And that’s not a bad thing I guess because my blood pressure is down and Harumi tells me she has a feeling of Feng Shui, whatever that is. With that being said, it is my desire to close this issue with positive vibes because the good Lord knows, we can always use something to lift our spirits and make us smile. In November of 1978 I transferred from the USS Midway (CV-41) to NAFD Atsugi, Japan. Shortly thereafter, in the summer of 1979, the Australian group Little
River Band came out with an AFRTS Casey Kasem chart topper called Cool Change. As
a young AG, duty onboard the Midway was challenging, at times frustrating and
lonely, never boring, and often times rewarding as it set the course for my
Navy career. I can still remember times of incredible camaraderie with my
shipmates during periods of intense flight operations at sea. And then, as if
somebody flipped a switch, moments of solitude and breath taking beauty while
sitting out on the catwalk in the darkest of nights, watching moonbeams dance
upon the ocean’s surface and listening to the ship gracefully slip through the
water. And to this day, I can’t help but think of those times whenever I hear
that song.
Now, in the season of life where I probably do more looking
back than forward, I grow more appreciative every day for the many blessings
God has given me. Wonderful parents, family and friends, a meaningful career,
worldwide travel, music, laughter, love, and so much more that if I were to
list them all, it would make this edition much longer to the chagrin of our
shipmate Tom Miovas, who certainly does Yeoman work in the printing and mailing
of the Aerograph.
So in closing, I’d like to wish you and yours a wonderful
Thanksgiving and beautiful Christmas. And may joy and peace fill all of our
hearts and homes through the holiday season and coming year. Take care and I
hope to see many of you at Reunion 48.
Smitty
P.S. I hope you enjoy the song:
Cool Change LYRICS by
Little River Band ♪
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Sitting here writing this, I can’t help
but think of how quickly the year has passed and about the uncertainty of
things to come. Election drama and chaos, natural disasters, cultural upheaval,
you name it. It seems rare anymore when a day passes without something on the 5
O’clock news not leaving one speechless or shaking their head in disbelief.
Perhaps that’s why I watch much less news these days. And that’s not a bad
thing I guess because my blood pressure is down and Harumi tells me she has a
feeling of Feng Shui, whatever that is. With that being said, it is my desire to
close this issue with positive vibes because the good Lord knows, we can always
use something to lift our spirits and make us smile.
In
November of 1978 I transferred from the USS Midway (CV-41) to NAFD Atsugi,
Japan. Shortly thereafter, in the
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Source: Aerograph August 2024
Greetings everybody,
As the lazy dog days of summer make their
annual trek towards autumn, I hope this finds you and your families safe and
well!
Our summer has been blessed by times spent with
family. There is much I could write about our adventures but will limit it to an
event that occurred on Independence Day during the celebration of our nation’s
248th birthday. Son Brian and family came out from El Paso, TX, to
join us for the festivities and take a reprieve from the desert heat. Once
again my attempts to get tickets to view the fireworks from the flight deck of
the USS Midway Museum were dashed. It’s unbelievable how fast those suckers get
sold out! While searching for an
alternate venue I came upon information about the first annual Freedom Fest VIP
Experience held at Naval Base Point Loma, Harbor Drive Annex. Initially I had
some reservations because the ticket prices were steep and you had to pay for
parking to boot! After giving it a
little thought though, I said “what the heck, let’s go for it!” After all, something that’s a first time
event with VIP EXPERIENCE in the
headline can’t be that much of a gamble. The cost included reserved seating in
a beautiful outdoor covered patio area with a spectacular view of San Diego Bay
and city skyline, delicious catered meals for lunch and dinner, a variety of
veggie trays, fresh fruit and deserts, unlimited water, tea, juice and sodas at
no cost, and adult beverages of choice for a reasonable price. And if all that
wasn’t enough, they rolled out soft serve ice cream and S’mores in the
evening! It truly was a gluttonous
affair if ever there was one, ha! And
did I mention the fireworks? Well, this will
be a little challenging to describe if you’ve never been to San Diego, but I
have a feeling many of you have. So
imagine sitting outside in the cool of the evening and gazing down the bay as countless small
boats, and not so small yachts, glide easily through the water. The colorful
lights of the city sparkle in the distance as do the lights of Harbor and Shelter Islands, the Coronado Bay Bridge and
NAS North Island. And amidst that beautiful setting, fireworks from four barges
around the bay go off promptly at 9:00pm, lasting for a glorious 20 to 25
minutes before ending in a round of enthusiastic patriotic applause! Yes the day
was long, and by the time we arrived home late that evening we were totally
wiped out. But we were happy and thoroughly content because once again, the Navy did it right!
To echo what President Ed mentioned regarding Reunion #48, it will be
held May 5-9 in lovely Gulfport, MS, so please save the dates! Bob & FJ tell me the preliminary schedule
of events includes tours of NASA Stennis Space Center and Keesler AFB, home of
the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters”. Complete Reunion
details will be published in the November Aerograph.
Smitty
Thursday, 24 October 2024, is the cut-off date for the November issue of The Aerograph.
E-Mail Steve at sumisus@mac.com
USPS Address: AG1 Steven Smith, USN (Ret)
750 Avenida De La Barca
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(571) 278-5259 (If I don’t answer, please leave
a message and I’ll get back to you ASAP)
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| In Lighter Vein: (c) Jeff Bacon 2024 |
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EDITOR’S CLOSING THOUGHTS
Sadly, Secretary/Treasurer Tom Miovas’ assessment about our
world being in turmoil cannot be denied. Hence my reason to close this issue
with a little levity and a couple of ridiculously cute pictures of kids being
kids, that for some reason, made me think of the old Art Linkletter show from
years ago that included a segment called “Kids Say the Darndest Things”.
Art Linkletter's Kids Say
The Darndest Things (youtube.com)
A Wee Bit of Irish Humor
Paddy is doing some roofing
for Murphy.
He nears the top of the
ladder and starts shaking and going dizzy.
He calls down to Murphy and says, “I think I
will ave to go home. I’ve gone all giddy and I feel sick.
Murphy asks “Ave you got
vertigo Paddy?”
Paddy replies “No, I only live round the corner.”
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Kids enjoy a day of fishing at Convict Lake in the Eastern Sierras of California.
Until next time, may the grace, peace and love of God be with us all. Take good care everybody and stay safe.
Smitty
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Source: Aerograph May 2024
Greetings and happy spring everyone,
A potpourri of fine articles awaits you in this edition of the Aerograph. Among them is the biography of LCDR John Dungan Jr., USN (Ret), the first Chief Aerographer of the United States Navy. It was provided by his grandson, AWCM John David Dungan Jr., USN (Ret), and wonderfully complements the painstaking research and write up done years ago by AGCS Enrique Acosta Gonzalez, USN (Ret). Needless to say, the biography, historical documents, and pictures donated by John are an invaluable contribution to the history of the Naval Weather Service. Thank you Master Chief!
And on this issue’s back cover, there is a great picture of USS Iowa (BB-61) firing her guns with a link discussing the ship’s displacement, or lack thereof; as well as a link to an old classic training video about the structure and operation of a battleship’s gun turret. I’m guessing a few 2 memories will be stirred by those who served onboard those amazing ships.
Smitty
Thursday, 25 July 2024, is the cut-off date for the August issue of The Aerograph E-Mail Steve at sumisus@mac.com USPS Address: AG1 Steven Smith, USN (Ret) 750 Avenida De La Barca Chula Vista, CA 91910 (571) 278-5259 (If I don’t answer, please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.)
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In lighter vein: © Jeff Bacon 2020
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EDITOR’S CLOSING THOUGHTS
It
just so happens that this issue of the Aerograph has weather articles regarding
typhoons. Perhaps not a bad thing since hurricane season is right around the
corner. And although it wasn’t on my radar, no pun intended, it allows me to
effortlessly segue into the “climate change” fiasco. A topic that has a lot of
people worked up, some to the point of violence and others towards making
unnecessary laws. No doubt climate variability is real, and we
know that it changes from year to year, decade to decade, century to century.
It always has, and always will. But, is it really the existential threat to
mankind that the elitists and a growing number of government leaders worldwide
tell us it is? I guess what frustrates
me about the whole climate debate is the untruthfulness of those with an agenda
that have driven a wedge between people to the point where it can’t even be
discussed in a civil and reasonable manner.
Like so many things in our world today, it has been politicized to the point
of insanity. Thankfully however, like an anchor in a storm, the never changing
truthfulness of God’s word remains. In fact, the promise of climate’s fate was
written about long ago in Genesis 8:22:
“As long as the earth
endures, seedtime and harvest; cold and heat; summer and winter; day and night;
will never cease.”
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And in those words, unlike the destabilizing divisive rhetoric of man, I find peace and stability for my soul, and hope you do also. So until next time dear friends, take good care of yourselves and the ones you love.
Smitty
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