An Afternoon with Heroes

[cj95]

-copied from the Distant guns Forum--


Sometimes its kinda nice to have a real dreadnought to play around with.

This is another of my stories from the USS Texas so if it bores you feel free to skip.


Back in October we held our annual veterans reunion aboard the Texas, and for the first time, my own work schedule allowed me to participate.

I considered not going that morning seeing as I was still getting over a nasty cold, but in the end pumped myself up with sudafed and made the trip.

Best decision ever!

Each Veteran, accompanied by their families, was assigned to one of us volunteers. It was out job to welcome them back to their ship and see to it that anything and everything they wanted to see they got to see.

This was an important point that was emphasized to us. This is THEIR ship. We're just taking care of it for them.

I drew the name of Mr. Robert Rickert, a 93 year old Engineering Chief from Pennsylvania that had not been back to his ship since her decommissioning back in 1948.

Now living in a nursing home, Mr. Rickert made the cross country journey accompanied by his three sons and one grandson to come see where all of 'Grandpa's' old stories really took place.


The veterans arrived from the local Hilton via charter bus, and we greeted them in the parking lot holding up little signs with their names on them. Mr. Rikert had to be helped off the bus, gingerly maneuvering his stiff knees and ever present cane. Introducing myself, I presented the group with gifts of USS TEXAS hats, pins and other various goodies, and arranging for a golfcart-taxi, we wisked Rickert up the gangplank and aboard ship.

It was interesting to note that even at 93, Rickert faced the stern of the ship, and stiffened to attention before stepping on board.


A short ceremony followed on the forecastle of the ship, where a memorial wreath was layed in the water, and a moment of silence held for those that had gone before.


It was sad to note that we only had ten veterans this year as their numbers dwindle year by year. This is one of the reasons Rickert had been insistent upon coming, before it was too late.



There was a break afterwards for a catered meal of genuine Texas Barbecue. As we sat in the portside aircastle, the Pennsylvania natives were duly impressed. "Wow, we dont get BBQ like this back home." they said.


The main part of the day was the ships tour, but today we did things a bit different. Usually when we give tours we escort people along a very defined course and point out all the neat little areas that give the best overall feel for the ship. ITs all safe, informational and regimented.

When the vets come aboard however, we leave things up to them.

Again it was emphasized, this is their ship...they can go ANYWHERE they want to go.

We relaxed out usual safety limits, and had on hand a group of firefire rescue teams who were tasked with getting wheelchairs and creaky old sailors down ladder wells, through watertight doors, and generally into the tightest darkest ship spaces imaginable.


It was during the tour that this 93 year old really came alive, and eschewed any such help. While at first he could barely get off the bus by himself, he was now climbing up and down ladders and through narrow hatches that even I had difficulty with.

(Texas was built way before ergonomics and OSHA standards were even invented, and with nimble 18 year olds in mind. I never come away from the ship without a new set of bruised knees or elbows)

"This is where the war ended!" he announced pointing at an innocent looking stanchion of the forecastle.

He relayed to us that they were in Manila bay, and he had been 'skylarking' , standing on top of the stanchion watching the fleet assemble for the invasion of Japan. He was standing there when it was suddenly announced over the ships annunciator that the war had ended.

"Captain Schetky came on and said, Men...the ship is YOURS. Well we went all hooting and hollering in a big conga line up and down ladders and up into officers country...which we had never been allowed before and then round and round the decks. Every gun in the harbor was shooting off as well."

This is why we let the vets choose their own tour. I would have never known about that little lump of metal where, for Rickert at least, the war ended.


In portside engine room Rickert really came to life.

Although we have just spent the last three years restoring and polishing up the starboard room to an almost pristine state, the old chief would have none of it. He went straight to "His engine" despite the fact that it was still rusty and corroded.

Immediately grabbing at the dials and handles he began working them and keeping up a running dialogue of proper steam pressures and valve temperatures and any number of technical tidbits that flew right over my head. He was eager to grab any passing young person and started giving impromptu tours of his engine to anybody who would listen.

(note in the pic how he never let go of 'his' engine)

I learned about how during convoy runs, something got broken off in the low pressure valve and they had to stream the port screw while a buddy of his suited up in an asbestos suit and actually crawled down into the valve to recover a busted fastener.
'We never lost a knot of speed," he boasted "We pulled him back out and started her right back up like nothing ever happened."

Throughout it all he never missed a step, and filled us in on all the 'unofficial history' that never made it into the logbooks.

One of the modern curators, showed Rickert a picture taken in 1942. "This is from the going away party for Captain Wild. Do you remember it?" he asked.

"Going away party?" Rickert scoffed. "That man was a -blanky blank- coward!"

The curator was confused. "Wasn't wild given sick leave?"

"Like hell. The man faked it to get out of combat. We were heading for Africa to land troops and the -blank blank- captain and the blnak blank- Chief Engineer both faked it to get off ship. "

We have since amended out records.

There were also some more politically incorrect statements that never made it into the history books.

"See the Galley there? The guy that ran it was queer, but he didnt bother nobody so the men ignored him." Turning around and pointing to a portside 40mm gunmount.

"But the guy who ran that gun? He was a queer too. He got caught one night 'entertaiing the troops' so he had to go."

Since then, the term 'Entertaining the troops" has taken on new meaning amongst the curators and volunteers.

At the end of it all, While Mr. Rickert had started out with one escort (me), he was eventually touring the ship with about fifteen curious followers in tow, fascinated by his insights and stories. He was like a kid again, recalling fist fights, shore leave and running for battle stations ("I could make it in 32 seconds flat!....Butt naked" he crowed)

(photo-starboard bunk space deck 3....from here to port engine is 32 seconds for the average naked 18 year old sailor :p)


Most of it all we captured on video recording for the archives, and for myself I was never so glad to not call in sick.

Rickert spent all day aboard ship, coming out covered in sweat and rust, but grinning from ear to ear.

The highlight for me was when he shook my hand and told me thanks. "Thank you for taking care of my ship. She's beautiful . Thanks for everything."

I think thats when I first felt part of the crew of the USS Texas.

Thanks for listening

[Feuer Frei!]

Thanks for sharing this, it gives people less fortunate, like myself who have never been lucky enough to experience a 'tour' of a historic vessel, an insight into how wonderful it must be!

[Oberon]

God bless you, and god bless them.

It is a sad fact that each year will see fewer of these valiant men, so it fills my heart with joy to read stories like this and know that through people like you, they will always live on.

[Sailor Steve]

Awesome story! Just two years ago it was my privilege to visit the Texas with the 2008 Subsim meet, and this story of one of her veterans coupled with pictures of places I recognize from the trip is just amazing.

Thanks for posting it.