I come from a long line of military men. My mother’s father retired as an Army Colonel, my father’s father was an enlisted Navy man, my father himself retired as a U.S. Navy Commander in 1989. I am incredibly proud of all of them.
They say you marry what you know, so I guess it’s no surprise that when I first met the Big Bean, he was a Navy guy. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Tripoli, a ship on which my father had once served as XO. The Tripoli was a helicopter carrier, and the Big Bean worked on the flight deck – one of those guys who waves their arms and directs the helicopters in as they land. Like this:
The Tripoli sustained significant mine damage while minesweeping in the Persian Gulf, which was a major news story at the time. Taken from Wikipedia:
In 1990, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein became the focal point of international interest when, on August 2 his troops invaded Kuwait. Over 100 U.S. Naval ships were sent in response, and on 1 December 1990, Tripoli was sent into action once again. Tripoli proceeded into the northern Persian Gulf and assumed duties as flagship for minesweeping operations there. On the morning of February 18, the Tripoli was rocked by a mine explosion on her starboard bow. The explosion ripped a 16 by 20ft hole in the ship’s hull and injured four sailors. After 20 hours of damage control, the ship was stabilized and was actually ready to resume operations. Tripoli remained on station for four days before finally setting course for Bahrain’s Arabian Ship Repair Yard. After 30 days and almost five million dollars in repairs, Tripoli was able to return to her assigned tasks. Tripoli is believed to be the first ship since the Civil War to sustain major mine damage and continue operations… the ship was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon for exceptional performance during the incident.
My future Big Bean was on that ship when it hit the mine, he was on it while it finished its mission. He and thousands of others were there on that ship, with no idea what would happen, whether the war would take a turn for the worse, whether they would come home to their moms, dads, wives, children, friends, family.
What I remember about the Big Bean back then was how fresh-faced he was — just a 21-year-old kid looking for a good time and a little adventure while he tried to figure what he would do with his life. When he joined the Navy, he had no idea a war would come, no idea he’d be shipped off into harm’s way, no idea he’d be given a gas mask and a syringe to plunge into his leg should a biological attack occur.
I have lots of very strong feelings about the war we’re in now — but this isn’t the place to share them, and it’s definitely NOT the day. Today I think we should just say THANK YOU to the men and women, boys and girls, past and present, who have gone far away from home to put their lives on the line for their country.
Have you hugged a veteran today? If not, you should. And don’t forget to say thanks.
Stumble it!
November 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
What a lovely tribute.
Thank you for sharing it with us!
Kailas last blog post..Apparently I am going to use the word Apparently a lot in this post.
November 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
please say “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU” to the Big Bean and all the other veterans for me. I will be hugging my purple heart BIL tonight. Unfortunately at a dear friend’s funeral.
We can never do enough for our vets.
Annies last blog post..Veteran’s Day Thank You
November 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
A lovely tribute indeed.
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November 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I’m mentally hugging Big Bean right now, as he’s the only veteran I ‘know’. Not in a weird, awkward way, but in a ‘thank you for serving our country so that we have the freedoms we enjoy here’ way.
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November 11th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Amen! I think I’ll call myne right now!
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November 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
A lovely tribute to Big Bean and others out there who take care of our families, even though they don’t know us. Thanks for sharing.
foradifferentkindofgirl (FADKOG)s last blog post..’til now, i always got by on my own. except nope, not really.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Happy Veteran’s Day to you and your husband!
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November 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
This was lovely, Beej. Can you hug your veteran for me, instead, though? Seriously, we don’t know anyone here and if I just go hugging random people they’re sure to call the cops.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
This was lovely, Beej. Can you hug your veteran for me, instead, though? Seriously, we don’t know anyone here and if I just go hugging random people they’re sure to call the cops.
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November 11th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
ACK! Dupe! ACK!
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November 11th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Thank you to the Big Bean from a very grateful Mom of five, daughter and granddaughter of Marines, and sister of a Naval airman.
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November 11th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Thank you, my beautiful daughter. The Big Bean walked in harm’s way and we all should be proud of his service.
And there are others who should receive a hug: Those wives (and now spouses) who keep the home fires burning sacrifice as well. Let’s remember them as well.
November 11th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Yeah, I’m a navy brat. My dad was a retired captain, who ended his career at the Pentagon. We moved all over the world, and it was a great life. My sister is married to a retired submariner, and I completely and unabashedly respect ALL who serve. I salute them.
vodkamoms last blog post..Am I Thankful? You bet…
November 12th, 2008 at 12:42 am
I saw the Tripoli at Mare Island Naval Yard in 2003 and 2004 and have several pictures I took at the time. Would Big Bean be interested in these? I was even escorted off the ship after I walked up the gangway and began asking Homeland Security sensitive questions (that’s what they said).
At the same time I took pictures of what had been the Charles B. Wilson. When we returned to Washington State, I ended up working with a man who served aboard the the Charlie B. I can’t believe how small the world is as related to Navy ships.
Awesome pictures! Thanks for the post!
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