My Olympic Blossom, Dale, wife, mother and enduring companion of my life. I shall never walk alone, Sweetheart.
Brent exclaimed, “Wow!”
“My uncle, Mom’s oldest brother read this for Dad at the funeral. Then a woman in the choir sang You’ll Never Walk Alone, Mom’s favorite song.”
Taking her hand Brent asked, “Hard for you to talk about it?”
“No, Brent. The pain’s gone now. Only the happy memories are left.”
They looked through some remaining photos and Bea returned the album to its place on the shelf.
She rejected Brent’s suggestion they drive to the Bangor ‘O’ club for a nightcap and check the action. He had the key to Jack Olsen’s room at the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters, vacant and available because the executive officer’s wife’s visit to Bremerton had been delayed.
“It’s a waste of time to drive over there. Dad won’t come down unless I call him. You don’t plan to make me do that, do you?”
Brent answered with a smile, “Not if you can control yourself.”
“Male chauvinist.”
Later, firelight illuminated the highlights in Bea’s hair as they lay nude with a small blanket and dwindling fire for warmth. They slept in each other’s arms until the flames burned low and a chill awakened them.
Bea pleaded, “Don’t leave. Not just yet.”
They gathered the blanket over them and lingered another hour, holding each other in the afterglow of their lovemaking.
Chapter 3
Lieutenant Commander Jack Olsen, Denver’s executive officer, barked, “Crew…a-ten-SHUN.”
Shuffling feet echoed throughout the warehouse-turned-drill-field as a hundred crewmen came to a semblance of the traditional military position. Submarine crews are plumbers, electricians, technicians and mechanics and do not parade often and it showed.
Lieutenant Commander Olsen gave his impression of a salute when greeting Squadron Commander Commodore Danis, a sincere gesture if not military. An arm slithered up his right side; the hand bent ninety degrees at the wrist. It reminded him of a rising periscope.
At the same time he rendered the weird looking salute, Lieutenant Commander Olsen said, “Good morning, Commodore. Denver officers and crew ready for your inspection, sir.”
The commodore returned the salute, hand swung in a precise and graceful arc, back ramrod straight, yet relaxed and comfortable. His crisp military bearing showed him to be a product of earlier times.
“Good morning, Jack,” the commodore said, and then to Captain Bostwick, “If you would lead the way, Captain.”
The inspection party moved single file through the waiting ranks, first Captain Bostwick, followed by Commodore Danis, Lieutenant Commander Jack Olsen, and Senior Chief Quartermaster Richard Cunningham, Denver’s Chief of the Boat. The COB, the executive officer’s strong right arm, enforced directives to the crew and also assisted the first lieutenant in organizing the crew members for grunt work and keeping Denver shipshape. Chief of the boat ratings exist only in submarines, the position inaugurated prior to World War II and awarded to the ablest chief petty officer aboard.
Captain Bostwick introduced each officer in order of rank and upon reaching Brent said, “You know Lieutenant Maddock, Commodore. He’s been with us the longest. And if I may say so, did valuable service with his quick action during our problem on sea trials.”
Brent contained his surprise at the captain’s comment.
It pleased Commodore Danis that Bostwick had gotten the message and he said, “Oh? I must hear all about this, Brent. But for now, congratulations.”
Ensign Woody Parnell’s cherubic face looked stern from beneath the brilliant gold chinstrap on his cap. A single gold stripe, equally brilliant, circled each sleeve cuff.
The commodore said, “You’re a fine looking officer, Ensign Parnell,” then winked. “Don’t let these crusty old submariners change that.”
The officers followed with polite laughter.
Next, the commodore inspected the crew. He made random stops by a number of men and spoke to each one. Some he questioned, “Where is your home? Many of our best submariners came from the plains states. Did your family come to Bremerton for the overhaul? Bet it’ll be good to get back to San Diego.”
All standards for senior officers interacting with enlisted, however, the commodore’s personal interaction made each recipient feel special.
With the inspection of ranks completed, the inspection party filed to a podium in the center of the warehouse as Lieutenant Commander Jack Olsen ordered, “Pa-rade REST!”
Again, shuffling feet moved to the comfortable military position.
The commodore read letters of commendation to crewmembers who made special contributions to the overhaul’s success. Next, he passed out chevrons and advance rating certificates for new promotions among the crew.
Brent managed an unmilitary wink at Gary Hansen who made Fire Control Technician, First Class.
Commodore Danis addressed Denver’s crew. “Officers and men of Denver. You’ve a right to be proud of the overhaul … your overhaul. You brought a tired ship to Bremerton and rejuvenated her. She leaves here with elevated fighting power and a top notch fighting spirit based on what I see of her crew.
“Combat readiness is paramount, I mince no words. Overtones in the news are valid and of great concern. You must depart the Strait of Juan de Fuca ready and with your guard up.
“Officers who served in World War II guided me through my early career, their agenda and emphasis experience driven. But they are gone now and lessons of the war are diminished by time. Submariners have not heard a shot fired in anger for many years and so we must avoid the complacency that grows from this.
“Our 688 class submarines have no peers in the navies of the world and will serve us well in the event of war. They run faster, quieter and deeper than our prospective adversaries. But the bitter lessons of war often show opening poker hands are seldom the ones played at the end.
“Nuclear propulsion has revolutionized submarine warfare, but its demands for attention have diluted the resources needed for other tasks. Combat readiness suffers accordingly. While I do not suggest we back off from safe reactor operation, I ask you all to dig deep and find the means to maintain a high level of combat effectiveness. In a word, be ready to fight.”
Brent thought,Ready to fight? Sounds damn serious.
Denver’s crew caught the emphasis. Commodore Danis’s words departed from the normal rah-rah, go get ’em pabulum usually served up on these occasions.
Was this a war warning?
His audience stirred at the commodore’s ominous words so he paused a moment to let this settle in. Then continued with, “You cannot rest upon success of your efforts in the yard, however hard you’ve worked. Monday, you get under way for two weeks refresher training and return to San Diego, though I would not make book on the latter. This time must be used well to ready you for combat.