Shipmates

The picture is probably 1975.  I was just promoted to LTJG, and the USCGC UNIMAK is in the background.  A lot of adventures after graduation from the Coast Guard Academy in 1973, being taught it all by the legendary Bill Turek, who's untimely passing I still have trouble dealing with after almost twenty years.  While signing novels a couple of days ago, one of my shipmates, Dan Carney, walked in the door of the bookstore.  I hadn't seen Dan, who was OPS Officer at the time, for 37 years.  After five minutes of conversation, it was just like yesterday.  He was still the tall red headed LT, and I was the stumbling Ensign, fresh out of school, and learning my trade.  What a joy to find him so close.  Priceless.