For reasons over the past ten years my Sire and I have not communicated with each other and sadly he passed last month. But then I saw this..
And for multiple reasons memories flooded back.
Das boot was one of his favorite movies, he even had it on RCA's Selectavision. and we would watch it sooo often, even listened to it on 8-track that he had recorded the entire movie on.
But the second part.. "Proper Damage Reports & Tonnage" made me laugh. For he created a blank "Patrol Report" form replete with Mandatory made up War Dept form info on lower left corner. (ver. 1944). And every time I played Silent Service 1 or 2 or Destroyer Command. I had to pick out the proper form and fill it out after my mission and the results and all. And it would go into my "Naval Record" which was a file folder with segregated segments.
So thank you, I know I have struggled to say goodbye, but this suddenly made everything crystal clear. Tonight I can't raise a glass to him. But I can raise a coffee in the morning.
Fair winds and following seas,
may forever you feel, upon your cheek, the salty breeze.
Your spirit lives on in many a heart,
your words captured, and never to depart.
May your loved ones have the comfort in knowing,
to heaven is where you are going.
For all that they have to do is look above,
and they will be reminded of your love.