Page 58 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

Shelly adopted the Coral Sea as to do about 12 My parents
“San Francisco’s Own” in a formal knots per hour also saw the
ceremony with TV and newspaper (15-17 mph importance of
coverage. When it was time for cruise speed) Christian work
the Coral Sea to sail again, “San and spent most and how much
Francisco’s Own” sailed from of the time knowing Jesus
Alameda with the “Golden Fleet of anchored or Christ made a
San Francisco” escorting it, along tied to the pier. difference for
with many other boats, including Submarines people. They
fire boats spraying water into came to her became very
the air. Then it set sail under the for service or active in helping
Golden Gate Bridge back to the repair. The people learn
Western Pacific. I was about ten crew’s job was about the Bible.
years old at the time and remember to take care My mother
the fanfare. It was exciting yet sad of subs in just taught Bible
that my dad was gone again. about every classes, and my
way. They father helped
Dad re-enlisted for two more had all kinds mentor young
years and was advanced to E9 of shops on board for working on men both in spiritual matters as
on his next deployment. They subs. Dad was one of the main well as teaching them (and his
returned to Alameda on April 6, propulsion officers in the engine daughters) how to “fix” almost
1968, having been gone over eight room before he retired from the anything. We moved two more
months. Later, while the ship was USS Sperry and the US Navy in times as a family - to Mississippi
being repaired, the Ship’s Officer’s 1970 with 20 years of service. and then to Georgia.
Wives Club planned an R&R for
husbands and wives in Japan. Dad went to school on the GI bill. In answer to the question, “How
Dad and Mom looked forward He was interested in agricultural did the war change you?” my
to this time, but it wasn’t to be. studies. We had some church father said that he has a greater
While Mother was taking all the friends who were moving from appreciation for life and people
immunizations required to go Oakland to a small country and what they do. When asked,
overseas, she became very ill, and community in Marlette, Michigan “How do you see yourself today?”
Dad was flown home. His last and invited us to go along. We my dad says, “I’m a grandfather. I
glimpse of the Coral Sea was a night rented a farm house with a barn want my children, grandchildren
in December 1968 as he was being and some acreage. We had lived in and great-grandson to know how
catapulted in an airplane from the the big city all our lives and were much I appreciate and love them.”
flight deck to return to the US. He excited to try our hand at country
tried to look out the window, but living.
the thrust was so intense he was
shoved back into his seat. Mom
was in the hospital for a month but
was finally released after Dad came
home. herrin
In January 1969, Dad was assigned
to the USS Sperry AS12 - home- h real estate
ported in San Diego on Point
Loma. The Sperry was an old WWII ron herrin broker
era diesel/electric drive auxiliary
ship used as a submarine tender 806.773.6512
(quite a change from an aircraft
carrier). She was slow, only able ronherrin1@gmail.com
h

58 Lubbock Senior Link