The Accident: Final
USS Scott DDG-995 January
1992
I
will move through part of this installment quickly to get to the punchline for
the whole story.
The
plan left Germany and made its way to the states. We did stop in Spain to pick
up some more passengers. I was on a stretcher for part of the flight; I had no
shoes. Air Force cargo planes are not designed for passengers at all. It was
cold and noisy. The seats were all on a pallet, and there was an added box that
had the bathrooms. But, the food was delicious, so that was a plus.
While
all of this experience was happening, I read the newest Tom Clancy book, “Sum
of All Fears.” It includes a nuclear attack on the US during the Super Bowl.
The book talked about a big snowstorm hitting the east coast, closing down the
airports. And it was also the day before the Super Bowl. There was a massive
snowstorm hitting the east coast in real life, and it was the day before the
Super Bowl. We were the last plane allowed to land that night at Andrews Air
Force Base.
I
eventually made my way back to Great Lakes after a stopover at Scott Air Force
Base. I spent another two weeks in the hospital before being sent home on
convalescence leave. I reported back to Great Lakes Naval Hospital for what was
to be the beginning of the end of my Naval career. Eventually, I was
transferred over to the Gas Turbine School at Service Scholl Command. I worked
in the Gas Turbine C School Office. Before I was moved there, I was given a
chance to go back to Norfolk and DesRon 10. I almost took that one, but I opted
to stay at Great Lakes.
I
was also given the choice of a more extended medical hold or a medical
discharge. Now, here is where the moral of the story starts to play out. At the
time, I was married and had two daughters. My wife never did like me being in
the Navy, and I know she assumed after my initial 6-year enlistment was up, I
was getting out. I had no intention of getting out; I wanted to go for as long
as the Navy would let me.
Now,
for a little bragging. Being in the Gas Turbine rating was terrific.
Advancement was as fast as you could make it. I had just been selected to
advance to E5, GSM2, before the accident. I had not been in two years yet. I
had my courses done up to Chief. (A piece of advice I had gotten in boot camp.)
I was kicking ass on qualifications and doing all I could to be a good sailor.
I had my eye on a commission for my ultimate prize. But, in the blink of an
eye, it was all on hold. I still did everything I could to keep my momentum
going.
Even
with all of that said, I did one of the dumbest things I have ever done; I
listened to my wife and took the medical discharge. Yeah, I listened to the
person who did not want me in the Navy as it was. For the rest of 1992, I
worked in the Gas Turbine C School office and in the curriculum office working
on A School classes. I was discharged on January 6, 1993.
My
dream was gone, but what I did not know at that time, I had a different
purpose. IN 1995 I received a letter from the Navy asking me to re-enlist. They
needed people to come back in. The offer was a killer, $50K, and choice of
first duty station. Hell, yes! I jumped on it, but that not to be; my medical
discharge stopped it. I think that was the final nail in my marriage that ended
in December of 1997.
Before
I was divorced, I met Valerie, my wife now. Now, forgive the romance writer in
me here, but we seemed destined to be together. Our first meeting was so minor
neither of us really paid attention to it. We also met in a manner that was
unheard of in 1997, the internet. We slowly began talking, and things kept
growing in ways neither of us could imagine. In June of 1998, we moved to
Georgia and started our lives without the influence of my ex on us. I could
write a 10 part series on her, but I will save everyone from that.
We
were married on February 14, 1999. We have been through a great deal together.
We have had some fantastic highs and horrible lows, but we have held together
through it all. I can honestly say I would not change any of it.
So,
back to my point, dreams. We never know when ours will either come true or be
shut out. I had two big shots to keep my Navy career moving forward. I took the
other path twice. I would not change where my life is now, and I can see it was
the correct path. Now, I am reaching for a different dream, becoming a writer.
Don’t let the loss of a dream tear you apart. At the time, you may not know why
it happened, but it did. Trust in God that your path is taking you where you
should be. When you do realize you are where you should be, things are amazing.
Valerie
and I were meant to be together; I fully believe that. That also leads to Lexi,
our granddaughter, living with us. We all needed one another, and without one
another, there would be three lost people. I honestly can say I am disappointed
about my Navy time, but I have no regrets.
Keep
dreaming and reaching for them. Do not get down is a dream that does not happen
because there is another path for you.
Now
to wrap up the whole incident, I want to thank those Hot Shots who helped out
that night of the accident. No telling what would have happened had they not
made it to the scene so quickly.
(The
picture at the top was sent to me. I was in the left taxi.)
