If you are reading this blog, then you likely know about hyperlinks. Even if you do not know the term, you know that moving your cursor over certain words in emails and websites and clicking the mouse button takes you instantly to some other (related) place on the internet.
I’ve recently discovered that life can have its own “hyperlinks.” No, we cannot be physically transported to another location, much to my dismay. But we can experience a merging of sorts in the timeline of our life and the lives of those we love. Places and events, when visited together, can connect our present life to the past and we find ourselves immersed anew in things that were previously academic.
But enough with the big words!
We discovered a year or two ago that Darcy’s step-father had served aboard the USS The Sullivans (DD537) – currently docked at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, N.Y. – in 1962 during his four year enlistment in the U.S. Navy. A Chief Petty Officer (CPO) 2nd Class, “Poppy” (as my boys call him) served in navigation with an office in the map room as the ship ran training exercises. It was decided then that we needed to take him to visit the ship when he was up next.
This past Thanksgiving gave us that opportunity! It is hard to fully describe the experience of having your own private tour guide with first-hand knowledge of the ship. We saw the map room he worked in, his bunk, the CPO mess where he ate, and got all sorts of inside information regarding life onboard ship – like how 150 or so men manage to share 4 shower stalls with limited freshwater. We were not just seeing an old Navy ship; we were transported inside a part of Poppy’s life
It is hard to say if the kids fully grasped special-ness of the visit, but they were there. As for my wife and I, the trip was most memorable and we are grateful for the experience. By linking to a piece of the past, we have gained understanding that strengthens family bonds in the present and further brightens the road to the future.
And that…is a hyperlink.
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That is really interesting. What a special treat for him to share with his family, and for his family to hear about his experiences. Thanks for letting us share in it too.
While it will always be a great memory…it is more fun if you can share! Glad you could enjoy.
WOW, what a great story! Thanks for sharing. This is really a small world we live in. You just never know.
We were pretty excited when we found out he served on her. Until then, The Sullivans was just a ship with a story that we could tour. Now, it’s a little more personal and a little more special to visit (and we got a family membership…so we CAN go back and visit!) It kind of makes me want to find out more about my father (Corp of Engineers – Panama) and uncle’s (Army – Vietnam) service during the Vietnam War…although I think one will be easier than the other.
Great story, Eric! What precious memories. And I am sure it meant a great deal to Poppy to share his story with all of you.
From everything we heard from him (and others), it seems like it did. I think his time on the ship was pretty uneventful, but just to get a chance to revisit and share it with family – it was pretty neat for all of us.
He’s “supposed to” (according to the host on the ship) find a picture of himself in uniform and send it in. They have a photo board below decks on the tour route and they will add his picture to that. We’ll have to go back and see it if he can find one! 8)