8. Shipboard News On The USNS Pope By David Ayers Topics for discussion are limited on a pleasure cruise such as ours. The game room seems to be the most popular congregating area but the talk is limited to playing cards. Perhaps the dining hall is the second most used area with discussions centering around the unbelievably delectable meals served. The most frequently talked about subject, however, deals with the angle of bank and roll of the ship and its effects on passengers.
Everyone boarded the Pope bragging how he could never get seasick while at the same time trying to convince himself inwardly. Some were convinced that remaining topside was the ideal method, while others were determined not to remove themselves from their rack. The men who haven't yet let the rolling bother them have set out to ‘comfort’ the less fortunate. One individual, Gus—‘the 24 hour recliner’--, arises three times daily for his meals. Upon arrival at the dining hall he is greeted by his
Others have set out to measure the angle of roll on the ship rather than the darkness of green on friends' complexions. One of the most ingenious and accurate methods was developed by an individual who claims to be an authority on pendular action. The Stork, a real swinger himself, developed a mechanical device which accurately measures the degree of bank by suspending his dog tags from a coat hook and scribing degree marks on his locker door. The Stork may receive the third degree when his tags are picked up by the wrong person.
One more method commonly accepted is called the
134th Aviation Co.
Ft. Bragg, NC, once known as the
All of these trials were necessary in preparing the Demons for their assignment in Vietnam. In fact, they were so well prepared that someone decided they should go to
Along with the Demons (Slickies) and Devils (Gunnies), the 134th is supported by the 618th Transportation Det. and the 832nd Signal Det. In preparing the unit for their stay in Vietnam the men sent along a few items to make life a little more bearable for themselves. The list of such niceties includes two 30 KW generators, one 15 KW generator and ten 10 KW generators; 65 innerspring mattresses, 35 refrigerators and coke machines; 2 ranges; 65 beach chairs; 30 sofas and leather chairs; 400 cocktail glasses; two 20-man rafts plus the normal equipment every aviation company needs.
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Last modified: Monday June 27th, 2022 |