Father's Day 1979
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 anchored of the coast of Naples,
Italy. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I had $35 in my wallet that
day when I went ashore. I had enough for a hooker and ten beers afterwards, but
decided to stop in at the local USO. Phone call to the states was $4.25 a
minute. I decided I was going to try and make one call back to the states. It
was 2 PM Naples time, so that made it 8 AM back in Lawrence Massachusetts. I got
a hold of my dad on the first attempt.
Me: Hi dad, happy father’s day.
Dad: Where are you calling from?
Me: Naples
Dad: Florida?
Me: No, Italy.
My step mother in a later letter said I wish I had a camera to catch the
expression on your father’s face when he realized that call came from Italy. You
couldn’t have given him a better gift.
I talked with my dad for maybe 8 minutes before I had to go. I had enough money
left over for one beer. When I got back on the ship one of my shipmates was
wondering why I was smiling so much, he asked me if I shacked up with a hooker.
I said no, it was something better, I wished my dad a happy father’s day. I
haven’t been able to do that now for 17 years, but I’ll be thinking of my dad
tomorrow (June 19, 2005) as I participate in a two mile walk in Mercer County New Jersey in the
American Cancer Society's Third Annual Run for Dad, along with my Uncle Mike. I
miss you daddy.