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 November 2022
Greetings and well wishes everybody,
Sometimes, the best laid plans go to waste. So it was with our planned vacation to Montana that we had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. However, all was not lost as we were able to take a fantastic road trip and visit family in Idaho, which turned out to be a wonderful blessing.
Speaking of Idaho, if you ever visit the city of Nampa (located 20 miles west of Boise) you’ll have to put a restaurant by the name of “Brick 29 Bistro” on your list. It sits on top of what used to be an old Masonic Temple (Lodge 29) that was built circa 1923, and has terrific panoramic views of the small city below. The food and service were outstanding and for those who may like an adult beverage of choice with some friendly conversation before or after a meal, it has a Craft Lounge on the first floor behind an innocuous looking janitor’s door resembling Speakeasies of long ago. Fun and quirky to say the least!
Courtesy of membership and yours truly, I found it most enjoyable and entertaining to include an assortment of articles in this issue. Some true, some funny, some sad, some inspiring, and some with various quantities of each. So whatever your reading genre may be, I’m sure you’ll find something to satisfy your bibliophilic cravings. Enjoy!
Smitty
Thursday, 26 January 2023, is the cut-off date for the February issue of The Aerograph
E-Mail Steve at aerograph@navalweather.org
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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© Jeff Bacon 2021
Editor’s Closing Thoughts
The preceding painting adorned the cover
of the Saturday Evening
Post on March
6, 1943, during
the trying and uncertain times of World War II. And every time I see it, it brings
to mind cherished memories and makes me extremely grateful for the wonderful
life God has blessed me with.
It also makes me think about simpler things in life that bring me so much joy, things that
perhaps we all take
for granted now and
then. Sights….seeing a sunrise or
sunset, when clouds
and perfect lighting conditions blend
together to give
a display of colors
so mesmerizing, all we can do is stand in awe. Or
sitting around a campfire and
gazing at the reds, blues and
greens of flames dipping and
dancing while our thoughts wander. Sounds....I love the sound of
a prop airplane lazily
flying high overhead, a motorcycle or muscle car roaring off
to destinations unknown, a train
or ship’s whistle in the distance that
makes me think of traveling.
Scents....the aroma of fresh
coffee and sizzling bacon in the morning, the
sweet fragrance of jasmine on
a soft and warm
summer’s evening, smoke from a fireplace on a cold winter’s night. Family….when the laughter
of a newborn baby brings an amazing sense
of wonderment, joy and hope.
When graduations, weddings and anniversaries are cheerfully celebrated and the thoughts of loved
ones, who have passed before us, live on in our hearts.
And then….as in the painting’s
gathering, a celebration of life takes place that strengthens familial bonds, warms our hearts, comforts our souls,
and brings us incredible
happiness.
To be sure, life isn’t always like a Norman Rockwell painting,
and can be downright
hard at times. But when all
is said and done,
I believe my blessings have
far outweighed the difficulties, and I sincerely
hope the same for you.
Wishing you all a joyous holiday season with those you love, and may God’s
abundant blessings be with
you and your families through the
rest of this year, and
in the year to come.
Smitty
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Source: Aerograph August 2022
Greetings everybody,
I hope this finds you and your families safe and doing well! It’s hard to believe that more than half of 2022 is now in the rear view mirror! Here in the Smith household, the passing of time has been expedited by a flurry of activities. House renovations, doctor and dental appointments, visits with family and friends, morning walks, working a small garden along with a variety of other of life’s daily routines really have us looking forward to our upcoming vacation in God’s country, the majestic mountains of Western Montana. We’ve always found time spent in the beauty and serenity of the mountains good for the soul. Many years ago while sojourning the Sierras of California, John Muir wrote “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn.” Having the good fortune to hike the Sierras many times myself, I can only imagine what it was like for Mr. Muir to walk in the splendor of Yosemite Valley, or stand in the shadows of the mighty Sequoias, years before the widespread footprint of mankind. But thereby I digress…..….
In this issue, I’m sure you’ll find a variety of
articles sure to please, compliments of members who enjoy making my job easy.
I’ve included another pitch for Paul E. Carrigan’s book “The Flying,
Fighting Weathermen of PATWING Four.” The Forward by Paul’s son, Michael,
and personal note from his wife, Jean, are opening teasers to a marvelous work
of historical military literature. Once again, if you would like to receive a
free PDF electronic copy of the book,
send an email to Mr. Ed Sawicki at ed@alcpress.com stating you are a
NWSA member. Placing NWSA in the subject line
will help. It is scheduled to go on sale
in printed form at a future date.
Speaking of members, I recently
had the pleasure of talking with Captain Ace Trask. He is doing well and after a much needed respite, is back to
sharing some great sea stories, two of which you’ll find in the “Best
Experiences While on Active Duty” section of this issue. Welcome back Ace!
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I also enjoyed a great lunch with LCDR Mike Gilroy (the bearded one) at a local watering hole called the 3N1 Sports Bar & Grill. Having never served together, it was nice getting to know each other a little and sharing a few sea stories of our own.
And finally, I tweaked the header of The Aerograph (mainly the font and Old Glory) on the cover of this issue. Feedback welcomed.
Take good care of yourselves everybody, and may the waning days of summer be followed by a glorious autumn!
Smitty
Wednesday, 26 October
2022 is the cut-off date for
the November issue of The Aerograph
E-Mail Steve at aerograph@navalweather.org
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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Click Image to Enlarge
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Source: Aerograph May 2022
My, my, how time
flies! With summer rapidly approaching,
I hope this finds everyone in good health and doing well! Many of you may have heard the old song “It
Never Rains in Southern California” by Albert Hammond when it played over the
airwaves back in 1972. Well, the verse
that ends “it pours, man it pours” is absolutely correct, at least on those
occasions when a moisture laden cold front moves onshore. We experienced such
an event in late March that produced over an inch of liquid gold
overnight. For many of you in other
parts of the country that may make you laugh at us weather wimps here in
Southern California, but for a semi-arid region that more often than not
receives less than ten inches of rain a year, that was a big deal! Speaking of weather wimps, I had to laugh
when I saw a young man dressed more for Siberia than San Diego when the mercury
dropped to the low 50s a few weeks back. Yeah I know, only in SOCAL, ha!
Like many significant
historical events that fade with the passage of time, so to the memories of
D-Day, June 6, 1944. I daresay that many
of you had family members who served and fought in WWII, some perhaps, paying
the ultimate sacrifice. My uncle, Leo Frederick Parsell, was a PFC in the
Marines. He was awarded the Purple Heart
for injuries sustained in the brutal jungle island fighting of the Pacific. For reasons known only to God, he survived
and lived to the grand old age of 90.
And like so many who have experienced firsthand the brutality of war, he
rarely, if ever, spoke of it. Beginning
on page 20, you will find the story of the Bedford Boys, a moving tribute to
one small town in America who remembers all too well that freedom is never
free.
In closing, thanks again
to all who contributed to this edition of the Aerograph. Have a fantastic
summer everybody!
Smitty
Wednesday, 27 July 2022 is
the cut-off date for the August issue of The Aerograph
E-Mail Steve at aerograph@navalweather.org
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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Click Image to Enlarge
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Source: Aerograph February 2022
As I sit here writing
this, the calendar tells me it’s late January with two months give or take of
winter remaining. However, here in SOCAL
under sunny skies with temps near 70 belies that fact, leading me to admit that
for the most part, Harumi’s yearning to return to San Diego has turned out
quite well. Yes, there is the daily rush hour traffic and constant hustle and
bustle almost everywhere in now what is America’s eighth largest city. Yet there
is no denying the geographical beauty, variety of attractions, plethora of restaurants and
outdoor activities, all combined with near ideal weather year round, still make
San Diego one of the most beautiful places in the world. And on rare occasion when I hear a ship’s
whistle informing crew they will be separated from families or loved ones for
weeks or months at a time, I can’t help but reminisce a little about days long
gone, but never to be forgotten.
A hearty thanks to all who
contributed to this edition of the Aerograph.
As you may recall, last August’s publication included two wonderful
letters from our 2021 scholarship awardees, Alvin (Alex) Cheung and Preston
Grooms. On page 4 you will find excerpts of correspondence and photos sent from
AMS Executive Director Keith L. Seitter to NWSA Scholarship Chair, LCDR Mike
Gilroy, USN (Ret). Enjoy!
Smitty
Wednesday, 27 April 2022 is
the cut-off date for the May issue of The Aerograph
E-Mail Steve at aerograph@navalweather.org
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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Source: Aerograph November 2021
All good things must
come to an end. After thoroughly enjoying two years of Texas hospitality here
in Abilene, Harumi and I are making the
move to back to our home in San Diego, California. I cannot say there is no angst on my part,
but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do to keep his little lady
happy. I truly regret I could not attend
Reunion #46, which by all accounts, was a smashing success! Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I’ll
see many of you at #47.
So as 2021 draws to
a close, I wish you all a blessed holiday season surrounded by those you love,
and God’s abundant blessings throughout the coming year.
Smitty
Wednesday, 26 January 2022
is the cut-off date for the February issue of
The Aerograph
E-Mail Steve at aerograph@navalweather.org
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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