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Coast Guard Brothers
Six of us old shipmates were stationed together 40 years ago on the Coast Guard Icebreaker Staten Island (WAGB 278).
Louie Carrillo (a.k.a. LOUIE)
Bobby Chandler (a.k.a. CHAN)
George Kelly(a.k.a. KELLY)
Bobby Van De Pol (a.k.a. STORK)
Ray Weber (a.k.a. WEBER)
Walter Kline (a.k.a. SPUD)
If you are wondering what the term BROTHER is all about, well, it was 40 years ago that this ship, along with these shipmates, departed Pier 91 in Seattle Washington on a six month journey over the top of the world - the Northwest Passage - with the super tanker and ice breaker USS Manhattan. During that trip, we circumnavigated the North American continent, while spending 123 continuous days in the polar ice cap, away from civilization.
After the first month in the ice, mail calls are a thing of the past -- as well as supplies of bread, milk and other perishables.
After two months in the ice, meals are prepared strictly by cans and you find that you have seen every movie onboard at least 3 times.
After 3 months in the ice, attitudes and patience dwindle big time!
And after 4 months in the ice, if someone says good morning and you don't punch them right on the mouth, you get to call that shipmate BROTHER!
After 40 years, these old shipmates have come back in contact with one another, and so that is what this trip is actually all about.
The Bikes
Carrillo - Harley Full-Dress Ultra Classic
Chandler - Triump Rocket III
Chandler - Triump Rocket III
Hi! Sorry we missed it when you stopped by the house on Mary Ave!! It would have been fun to hear your stories.
ReplyDeleteAmy and Dave