Checking In – Let’s Catch Up

[Rennhack]

Hey everyone,

It's been a little quiet around here lately—other than Marlin keeping us up to date with headlines (thanks, Marlin!).

I took a peek at who's been online recently, and I saw a lot of familiar names. That honestly made my day. It's been way too long since I've talked with many of you, and seeing those names brought back a lot of good memories.

So here's what I'm asking:
If you're reading this, drop a quick reply. You don't have to write a novel—just say "Hi," or share something simple:

    Where are you these days?

    How many grandkids do you have now? (Yes, we're officially that old.)

    Been on any good vacations lately?

    Or if you've noticed the website changes, let me know what you think.
    I've been working to improve speed, update software, and tweak the look—just a little (I know how we all feel about change). If something's broken or just looks weird, I'd appreciate the heads-up.

I'll go first:
My family just got back from a short stay at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. It was fun—but honestly, we still prefer Disney cruises. My kids are now 20 and 16, and my wife and I recently hit 22 years of marriage. I've got a steady job here in southwest Michigan, and life's been good.

Some of the names I've seen online—and I expect to hear from, at the very least:

    @Laning – It's been way too long. We need a call.

    @Nuclear NASCAR

    @GLW

    @Dave Warren

    @Smart People – (at least YOU call me).

And of course, anyone else who's lurking—please say hi. I'd love to reconnect.

[Marlin]

  Where are you these days?

Retired for the last 14 years but this last year is the first year not doing some short work in the Oak Ridge area.
I have eight acres with a 120-year-old farmhouse that needs some TLC just a little northwest of Oak Ridge. It is at the foot of Walden Ridge the longest ridge in the US from West Virginia down to Alabama. We have some chickens and if Boss lady gets her way some pigs soon. For those of you old enough to remember "Green Acres" I am not the one on the tractor.

  How many grandkids do you have now?

Just recently completed 42 years of remedial husband training and her effort continues. Four grandkids and five great grandkids. Usually, I am the vacation destination for family most recently my daughter and granddaughter and crew invaded with my 18-year-old six-foot six grandson. We had a birthday party for my 2-year-old great granddaughter and 2-year-old great grandniece, born just days apart, cuteness overload.

I am active with the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI). I am the base commander for the local chapter and district commander for eight bases from Cincinnati down to northern Alabama. I have been helping with a submarine memorial that is an effort to bring the sail of the USS Houston to Bissell Park in Oak Ridge, mainly I have been connecting the American Museum of Science and Energy with Navy departments and information of submarine sails from other submarine memorials. AMSE is also looking to acquire a periscope for the museum. Initial plans include a statue of Admiral Rickover who got his start here at the Graphite Reactor with a Degree of Pile Engineering (D.O.P.E.). A little trivia George Wallace author of Hunter Killer the book the movie was based on was the CO of the Houston at one time and is an active member of the USSVI. I am keeping in touch with him as the dedication to the memorial comes closer.

[desertdog]

I like the new layout.

[Rennhack]

I like the new layout.

Thank you!

[Marlin]

Mike I just noticed that the bottom of my post has a "one person likes this". A new feature? Where is the Karma button?

[fiveeleven]

Where are you these days?

Retired for the last 14 years but this last year is the first year not doing some short work in the Oak Ridge area.
I have eight acres with a 120-year-old farmhouse that needs some TLC just a little northwest of Oak Ridge. It is at the foot of Walden Ridge the longest ridge in the US from West Virginia down to Alabama. We have some chickens and if Boss lady gets her way some pigs soon. For those of you old enough to remember "Green Acres" I am not the one on the tractor.

  How many grandkids do you have now?

Just recently completed 42 years of remedial husband training and her effort continues. Four grandkids and five great grandkids. Usually, I am the vacation destination for family most recently my daughter and granddaughter and crew invaded with my 18-year-old six-foot six grandson. We had a birthday party for my 2-year-old great granddaughter and 2-year-old great grandniece, born just days apart, cuteness overload.

I am active with the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI). I am the base commander for the local chapter and district commander for eight bases from Cincinnati down to northern Alabama. I have been helping with a submarine memorial that is an effort to bring the sail of the USS Houston to Bissell Park in Oak Ridge, mainly I have been connecting the American Museum of Science and Energy with Navy departments and information of submarine sails from other submarine memorials. AMSE is also looking to acquire a periscope for the museum. Initial plans include a statue of Admiral Rickover who got his start here at the Graphite Reactor with a Degree of Pile Engineering (D.O.P.E.). A little trivia George Wallace author of Hunter Killer the book the movie was based on was the CO of the Houston at one time and is an active member of the USSVI. I am keeping in touch with him as the dedication to the memorial comes closer.

Congratulations sir. You are a true Lifer.

[Marlin]

Congratulations sir. You are a true Lifer.

Hmmm, true Lifer not so much. I was a free ranging kid, if I did not make anyone mad, no Fs on my report card and I was in before the streetlights came on life was good. I did not have a lot of respect for authority so why enlist? The draft. I wanted to have some choice in where I went and shopped around to see what was available. Air Force had nothing as they had plenty of recruits. The Army needed helicopter pilots which interested me. I had no interest in the Navy until after I took the GCT/ARI (todays ASVAB). It made me eligible to enter the advanced electronics program (missiles) and the nuclear propulsion program. When he told me that nuclear was a fast track to submarines nuclear it was. This was as close to being on a spaceship as I would ever get. Of course, I never heard Captain Kirk say "turn to clean up ship". It was a bit of a shock as I had no study habits as a straight C student who did not do his homework or study at home and liked to party. My grades gradually improved and I completed the program and was assigned to submarines. My lack of respect for authority was not compatible life in the military thankfully submarines were somewhat more relaxed. Even though I grated some of my superiors I qualified to the senior most watch stations, Engineering Watch Supervisor and Leading Engineering Laboratory Technician. When I separated the Navy was behind me, I did not let the door hit me where the good God split me. So why participate in USSVI? I was a job shopper at the power plants for a while and could tell who probably was ex-navy. I found that my career, work ethic, maturity (?) and self-confidence came from the Navy. May have had a career as a used car salesman without it. My lack of respect for authority was tempered but not gone. A couple of decades after separating I found the USSVI and joined out of curiosity. As a member I learned a lot about the legacy of the submarine service that I did not learn in the service. Captain Kirk said forget about me save my ship. In reality two submarine captains did exactly that gaining posthumous MOHs. I did not want to see any senior officers when I was in because it meant I was in trouble, or my workload was about to increase. Now having the rare conversation with an admiral is enjoyable to hear the 30,000-foot perspective not seen from the engine room of a submarine. I have heard this same story from other subvets from my era. Would not do it again but am glad I have it behind me.