It promised to be a busy weekend. Sally had invited her dad to Oakland for Fleet Week and the dance card was full with things a veteran from the greatest-generation might like: a visit to Alameda Naval Station, the Blue Angels flyovers, a Bay cruise.
It promised to be a busy weekend. Sally had invited her dad to Oakland for Fleet Week and the dance card was full with things a veteran from the greatest-generation might like: a visit to Alameda Naval Station, the Blue Angels flyovers, a Bay cruise.
That year, the submarine “Key West” had come in, and was open for visitors—not the easiest tour for a near-octogenarian what with the narrow stairs and corridors, but he managed. Also interesting to tour around the old Hornet, a vast WWII vintage aircraft carrier kept as a museum in its gray metal glory, and now a favorite spot for big band retro dances. The Hornet was staffed by old vets happy to share stories and sell a souvenir. Both Sally and her dad bought a hat—she got the last one with the “scrambled eggs” of an officer, and he had to settle for something less since she didn’t want to trade.
We then boarded a harbor cruise boat hired by the local Bar Association to head out onto the San Francisco Bay for a good view of the Navy’s Blue Angels close formation demonstration flying team. Sally’s dad had served in the Army Air Force and was known to mutter when a commercial plane made a hard landing, “Navy pilot!”–understandable when you realize they had to be sure to hit the aircraft carrier deck and catch the hook as they landed. The skill of the Blue Angels pilots was unquestionable though, and the Bay filled up with boats of all sizes hoping for a good look at the amazing planes slicing the across the skies.
As our boat was heading from Alameda towards the Bay Bridge, Sally scanned overhead and a rush of wind lifted the coveted new hat off her head and into the Bay, where it quickly drifted away into the wake. Maybe a bit of instant karma. Nothing to be done but cry and carry on. Plenty of people to schmooze with, maybe a drink or two, dad to look after, brilliant skies and aerial show.
Maybe an hour later, as the boat passed near Crissey Field, she was looking over the railing and there, bobbing in the water, wasn’t it a hat? It looked like her new hat! With the scrambled eggs! Floating on the tide, out of reach, too dangerous for the tour boat to attempt to scoop it up.
Not one to be deterred, she saw a small boat nearby manned by a few athletic-looking guys, and she yelled to them for help. They cheerfully took up the challenge and managed to fish out the hat, to much triumphant shouting and thumbs up. But how would she get it back? She leaned over and screamed out her phone number several times to the hunky crew, oblivious to what her legal colleagues might think. You never know.
At the end of the day on the Bay, we were all windblown, sunburned and exhausted. Dad went back to Arizona. And some weeks later, Sally got a phone call from the guys on the boat and once again became the owner of the wayward and very waterlogged hat.
Khati Hendry
Thanx Khati for your wonderful, improbable but true story.
Just today we drove up New York’s West Side Highway and passed the pier where the aircraft carrier Intrepid is permanently docked and could see flocks of visitors streaming on board.
My dad like Sally’s was a WWII army vet and a big regret of mine is we never took him to the Intrepid!
If you haven’t visited the Intrepid yourself,you might find it interesting, even if it is too late for your dad. I probably wouldn’t have visited the Hornet if we weren’t taking Sally’s dad, but learned a lot.
Yes we should, will try!
We probably miss lots of the New York attractions waiting for out-of-town friends to visit!
Today we rushed downtown to see the elephant project you may have read about as it’s closing tomorrow!
(If you haven’t please google Elephants in New York , they’re great!)
Will have to google the Elephants! And yes, I notice how I don’t take advantage of local highlights until someone comes to visit. Let’s hear it for more visitors!
My dad was also in the Army Air Corps, Khati (I think I wrote about his time in the service for the last Veteran’s Day prompt). But he’s been gone for a very long time now. I loved this story and how you and Sally shared the experience onboard with her dad. Those big ships are amazing! And what a day at sea you all had! Equally amazing that Sally got her hat back! Wild but wonderful.
Years ago, we took our then-young kids to see the Intrepid while we were visiting NYC. It was something! And now I am reminded of a visit to see the last (now restored) wooden whaling ship, which came to visit Martha’s Vineyard several years ago. Maybe, if I get some time later this week, I’ll write up that story.
I’m glad this brought back some memories for you too. Sally’s dad flew 35 missions out of East Anglia—and obviously survived. He didn’t talk about it but in later years did start going to some reunions, which I think was healing.