Yep, that's me - the little freckled-faced girl in the picture, all of 19 years old and going through boot camp in Orlando.
The bus finally pulled into the Naval Station around midnight, and by the time they checked us in and showed us our bunks it was about 2 o'clock in the morning. I remember whispering to the girl in the bunk next to me: "Since it's so late I'll be they let us sleep in." Yep, 19 and stupid!
After 8 weeks of boot camp I was stationed in beautiful San Diego. (To this day, whenever we have a picture-perfect day in Louisville, I call it a "San Diego day".) I arrived at my duty station in my dress whites. I was stationed at ComCruDesPac (Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet), and headquarters was aboard the U.S.S. Samuel Gompers. I was escorted onto the ship, (the sailors were only too happy to help!) and was told to report to Chief Gibson. The Chief was sitting behind his desk smoking a huge cigar. Shaking in my Navy-issue pumps I recited what I'd rehearsed in boot camp: "Seaman Recruit Durbin reporting for duty, Sir." He looked up from his paperwork and a huge grin broke out all over his face! He jumped up from behind his desk, grabbed me under each arm, twirled me around, and said, "Now ain't you the cutest little sailor I ever did see!"
I decided, that, yes, I liked being in the Navy.
HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY !! God bless our men and women in uniform.
Jacki and Jerry Shafer with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East have been selling homes in Louisville, Oldham, Henry, Trimble and Shelby counties for over 20 years.
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