Hi Shipmates, 13 August 2024 0157 hrs MST

Found a missing shipmate, Dennis E Soule SOG 2. He is from Maine and served durning the time I was aboard the Michelson June 1964 - December 1965. I cannot find any information about him on this site. I'll do some digging through my records to see if I can find anything. I talked to his wife yesterday 12 August 2024; Dennis is ill and wasn't able to speak with me. He worked for General Dynamics Electric Boat for 40 years before retiring.

When I locate more info I'll contact Admin so he can post it on the site.

Best Always
Chris Headley Phoenix AZ

Saying hi to all that I was privileged to serve with!

Served on board from Feb 1962 thru May 1966, and with my brother Thomas Dale Kizer in 1966.

Read the comments of Joseph A. Rugg and his Merchant Marine experience while in the Navy. Kind of reminds me of the time on the Michelson while I was a GI Engineer. I spent a lot of time out on deck cooking my epidermis under the sun. I noticed the MSC deck crew constantly repainting the ship and never getting it done; it was a bigger job than they could do during a 28 day trip.

I decided to see if they would like for me to help them paint. Long story short they gave me a bucket of paint, a roller with a long pole and a paint brush. Now I was part of the deck crew.

Well, that lasted about an hour when one of the union stewards raised hell claiming I was taking work away from the deck crew. What a crock, they could never finish painting the ship as there weren't enough crew to paint all that needed painting. So I returned their paint and tools and retired from MSC. It was fun while it lasted.

I wonder if I'm eligible for a Merchant Marine Retirement . . . . .

Best Always
Chris, Phoenix AZ, 2253hrs MST, 16 July 2024

USNS Bowditch
Sperry Tech Rep
1974-1977

Stepson of Steve Gage, General Instruments rep. It was a pleasure reading through your many remembrances, a small tickle seeing Lee Everett's name (he visited us at home many times in Barcelona). Also, the name Ed Gauthier who once babysat me at the Hotel Bompard in Marseilles when my parents went to see "Last Tango In Paris." My step father was a great man. Best regards from a son of the "Dirty D."

30 June 2024

Wishing all a wonderful Fourth of July !!!

Chris

Just checking in. Wondering if any of the Ole shipmates remember me. One of the few USN members who did duty as a Merchant Marine while at sea.

1988...Great experience. Rio , Curacao, Panama Canal, Hawaii. White water rafting, Hang Gliding, interesting ocean geology, working with NAVO. Whale sightings, Flying fish, Bio luminesence! Climbing the A frames. Holiday routine which was just like any other day except there was cake ??? Volleyball madness. Good memories. Hard work.

Hola Shipmates, 28 May 2024

Since we honored the Michelson with a custom license plate we decided to honor the Bowditch with a plate of her own on our Dodge PU Truck. She now proudly wears a Navy Veteran plate with "TAGS21" commemorating her and all that served on her.

I probably wasn't clear when I commented "Only one in AZ". I meant we only have one plate here in Arizona, our vehicles only wear a rear plate. The front of our vehicles are clean. Texas insists on a front and rear plate. I refused to display a front plate on our Mustang and our Police interceptor. I was only stopped once and told the cop to look around, "No one" with a nice looking car puts an ugly plate on the front. He let me go w/o a citation.

Best Always
Chris Headley