Hello Shipmate, good to hear from you! I left Tico in 85 and went to a bubble head shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Only SW up there with those bubble heads. Admiral Guilbault called my CO and wanted to speak with me. The CO got the XO and his secretary to advise me of the phone call from an Admiral. That stirred them up. What was an Admiral doing calling for a Chief. We had a pleasant coversation and I told him I missed Tico and I would love to take her back or take on a new version. I got married in Maine and returned to Norfolk, Little Creek to be exact and took on an LST USS Sumter. It was an old but good ship and had to deal with the Marines onboard. Left that ship and yes it got Decommed as well and took on the DESRON TWO Medical position. I had 36 ships to assist, train and inspect. One of them was Tico. I loved going back aboard her. Interesting thing as the CO was a Commander. I retired in 1994 and went back to college to get ready for Med School. At least that is what I wanted to do. I took a job as a paramedic at the Norfolk Ford Assembly plant and gave up Med school as the pay and benefits for me and my family was outstanding. Then the bastard (William Clayton Ford III) closed the damn plant in Norfolk where I was for twelve years. Went to work in a new emergency room for Sentara by the Amphitheater and also went to Nursing School. Graduated as an RN and now working a stroke unit at Virginia Beach General Hospital. I will stay there for the next ten years or until my daughter finishes college and then I think I will semi-retire and enjoy what life I have left. My daughter and I will be going up to Philadelphia soon to see the old girl before they move her or turn her into razor blades. Have a great day shipmate, I miss you and all of the plankowners. Fair winds and Following Seas Shipmate. I remain, Michael A. Blair HMC(SW) USN Retired.
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