Navy memories
This is one of my sad memories from when I was a little girl.
My dad was with an air squadron, he would deploy with the carriers for six to eight months at a time. We were stationed in Norfolk, well, Oceana. This was way back in '63 or '64. The church held a Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance. I was very excited, because I rarely got to spend time with my dad. I was only six or seven. We were all dressed up, and ate the supper, but he got called back to the squadron and had to leave twenty or thirty minutes into the event. I cried and cred. I stayed at the dance with mom, and all the other dads were super nice to me, but I was too shy to dance with anyone but daddy. Now I know he had duty, and he'd gotten special permission to leave the ship to go to the church, but still, it hurt. No wonder he brought me amazing presents each time he went out to sea.
Dad loved taking us to interesting places like Williamsburg and Jamestown and the Great Dismal Swamp, even up to the Smithsonian Museums in Washington. Some dads came home from deployment and did nothing but drink beer and watch sports. Not my dad. He took out to do things as a family. That is part of the reason I have a love for history and archaeology and art, dad introduced me to so many wonderful places and made sure I cared enough to learn about them.
You do the best you can, and sometimes it is just hard. Kids are flexible, we grow up and understand and forgive. Dad's sacrifices made it easier for me when I joined the Navy, and for the times when I was a dependent spouse and hubby had to leave. Being by yourself does not mean you are alone.
My dad was with an air squadron, he would deploy with the carriers for six to eight months at a time. We were stationed in Norfolk, well, Oceana. This was way back in '63 or '64. The church held a Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance. I was very excited, because I rarely got to spend time with my dad. I was only six or seven. We were all dressed up, and ate the supper, but he got called back to the squadron and had to leave twenty or thirty minutes into the event. I cried and cred. I stayed at the dance with mom, and all the other dads were super nice to me, but I was too shy to dance with anyone but daddy. Now I know he had duty, and he'd gotten special permission to leave the ship to go to the church, but still, it hurt. No wonder he brought me amazing presents each time he went out to sea.
Dad loved taking us to interesting places like Williamsburg and Jamestown and the Great Dismal Swamp, even up to the Smithsonian Museums in Washington. Some dads came home from deployment and did nothing but drink beer and watch sports. Not my dad. He took out to do things as a family. That is part of the reason I have a love for history and archaeology and art, dad introduced me to so many wonderful places and made sure I cared enough to learn about them.
You do the best you can, and sometimes it is just hard. Kids are flexible, we grow up and understand and forgive. Dad's sacrifices made it easier for me when I joined the Navy, and for the times when I was a dependent spouse and hubby had to leave. Being by yourself does not mean you are alone.
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4 Comments
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Comment by Molly mom of 2 + 330,701 sailors on November 14, 2008 at 7:59am -
My Momma passed away dec of last year ~she used to call me (get this) Pooper-decker
LOL LOL LOL
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Comment by Anti M on November 13, 2008 at 5:27pm - Ah, thanks .... LOL, no one has called me baby girl since mom passed a few years ago ... no, wait a minute, I take back the LOL, now I'm tearing up. Shoot!
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Comment by Molly mom of 2 + 330,701 sailors on November 13, 2008 at 3:17pm
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Ahhhh Pumpkin baby girl ~~
You know I am just a navy mom of a 19 year old sailor. BUT I think of just how hard this life must be on a wife & children !! They have the hardest job in the navy !!
We say a great big thank you to our military for what they do and all they give up. It may be a little late BUT I want to Thank you for all you as a little girl gave to us. because not only does your Daddy deserve a big Thank you BUT so do you :)
Ok that just made me cry ~ seeing that little girl so sad wathcing her great big hero walk away to defend me.
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Comment by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on November 13, 2008 at 2:46pm - Sweet story Anti M and look at you now...you grew up to be a Sailor and a Navy wife!!!
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