Time for Happy Thoughts

What is your happiest memory?  Mine is before Viet Nam.  Dave and I were running about together.  Vic and Rosie were with us often too.

My wedding day.

1953 Glenview Naval Air Station. I had the honor of serving under one of the hero's of the battle of midway...this man got the credit for turning the tide of war in the pacific...some even said because of him, America won the war in the Pacific. He was a fighter pilot, but on this day he was flying a dive bomber...he pushed it like it was a fighter. He was my commanding Officer.

Wade McClusky.

A squadron leader from the carrier Enterprise, McClusky had followed directional bearings to the likely location of the Japanese fleet, only to see an empty ocean.

By chance, McClusky spotted a Japanese destroyer moving north at high speed. Despite the fact that his squadron was dangerously low on fuel, he nevertheless ordered his pilots to follow the Japanese ship. The destroyer led the bombers right to the Japanese carriers
McClusky's one bomb missed the mark, but the rest of his squadron, and others who joined in the battle, sank 3 out of 4 Japanese Carries...all the Japanese aircraft were on the decks being refueled, and rearmed...this battle made the American Navy the power in the pacific. If we lost Midway, we would have lost the war in the pacific.
McClusky ran the Glenview Station like every man on base was a shipmate. We could even drink beer at the base club. McClusky said, "If you kids are old enough to die, you sure as hell are old enough to drink." He always turned reporters away who called him the hero of Midway His reply put due where it was due, "The fourteen torpedo pilots who went in just above wave top, one after the other were shot down before they could drop their load...only one came out alive. Two were picked up by the Japanese, weights chained around their legs and thrown back into the sea...every man at Midway was a hero." McClusky will always be my Hero. I always felt bad for him because his one bomb missed the ship...I know he really wanted to hit that son of a bitch. His wing man missed too.
Just a note: He was not a drinker...he was a coffee man.

1/13

              Growing up in 1958 to 1962 a time of innocence, manners, parents in
control, being nieve , walking in the rain and feeling a cool breeze, laying down
on the ground and watching the clouds go by, getting a quarter as a allowance 
going to the corner candy store and knowing it'll take you a half hour or more 
just to pick out candy and getting your quarters worth. Going to the movies and
paying fifty cents , getting in at 12 noon and watching cartoons, newsreels and two
films and leaving at five PM. Waking up on a winters morning after a snow storm 
and your Mom said " School today ,!"  And you thought no, the bed is nice and warm
but you knew you had to go to school. I know it sounds silly but it was a great  time
growing up being innocent even believing in Santa Claus, too bad children today have
no idea what that is all they know is TV, Computers and Computer games....

                                                 Cheers............Joe...........

I like the picture Shelagh posted of her wedding.  Looks like a very happy time.
It is an interesting question, Alice.  It took me down memory lane and that was pleasant.  To select a single event that I can name as "happiest" is difficult.  I can think of several events that caused me joy, but none that stands out as best.
It is easier to think of the "worst" than the "best".

Reading what caused others happy moments is enjoyable.

1/14

                       Shelagh..

                                  You look " Beautiful, Happy."

                                   Cheers.Joe.......

Very good memories, All.  Thank you for sharing. You got me to thinking:

Attending our children's college graduations and weddings.  Seeing our grandchildren for the first time.  Paying off our house. Paying off our children's college bills.
Mountains we have climbed.  Camping trips.  It's been  a heap of fun.

Domenic,

What an impressive memory.  I  had no idea.  You ought to write a memoir.

Alice, When we get old we can't remember five minutes ago...but things 70 years ago are clear as a bell. I was 80 the 5th of this month.

Belated happy birthday greetings, Domenic! 

Shelagh wrote:

Belated happy birthday greetings, Domenic! 

I don't do birthdays...but I'll take that as a friendship. In truth, I'm surprised as hell I hit 80. I can count four times in my life I should have been dead. I have often wondered how many other time I don't know about? I don't fear death...still live like it's far in the future. I spend a lot of time still doing things, and learning other things.

Sorry to have missed your birthday, Dom.  Belated congratulations.  Eighty is an achievement we younger folk see as a milestone.  I still have another three years of travel before achieving that mark.

BEST WISHES, late, Dom. I had no idea you were 80.  Keep up the good work.