"Paper Dress"

 

Sailor Sam: My girl wore a newspaper dress to the USO dance.

Sailor Stan: And what did you do after the dance?

Sailor Sam: OH, we went on a tear! 

"Zippo - A Sailor's Best Friend"

 Who remembers flipping the wheel on that beautiful chromed-out Zippo? Like the thirteen-button crackerjack Navy Blues, the Zippo lighter is a cultural icon of the Navy Sailor. The ship’s crest and slogans engraved on them give a distinct look inside the minds and lives of those who served before us.

Zippos have a long history in this here canoe club. When America entered the Second World War after Pearl Harbor, the Zippo company stopped selling its lighters to the consumer market and instead dedicated the entirety of its lighter production to the United States military. Many of those lighters survived the trials and tribulations of saltwater candor and burnt-out boilers only to be treasured and collected for money as well as sentimental value.

 

The image of a Zippo with the ship’s insignia blaring on the front tucked into the front pocket of some faded-out dungarees or in the dress blues with a picture of Marie-Lou and a pair of Trojans for that special moment is seared into the minds of us old farts. They went well with a pack of Camels, Lucky Strikes, or Marlboro Reds … the typical choice in my day. Some bought a Zippo at the Ship’s Store … maybe even an extra one for their dear old Dad back home. Even the lighter fluid was good for shining brass belt buckles for inspection purposes.

I saw an advertisement once that read, “Zippo lighter - it's not just a lighter; it's the best company a man could have.”

When the USS Forrestal caught on fire, she had many a nickname from Forrest Fire to Firestal, and yes, even the USS Zippo. The lighter has made quite the impression on the sailors before us and still do to this day. When you hear them say a dog is a man’s best friend, the person in question obviously never owned a Zippo. There may never be anything like it again, except for Frank’s Hot Sauce, ‘cause Grandma puts that shit on everything…

 

( FiN )

Shipboard Art

 Does anyone remember the murals of art around the ship rather it was the dispersing office door, barbershop, or even the boiler down in Maine 1? Arriving at the designated space, you were greeted by a bluejackets mural depicting the toughest sailor alive guarding the foreboding gates of hell. The entrance may be a cyclone of fire, a tidal wave of salty brine, or a thunder cloud of lightning that gave the representation of strength and courage. After all, we were painting a picture to leave no doubt. I hope you enjoy these pics from over the years. Some are quite entertaining while others are just simply masterful pieces of art… enjoy!!!

( FiN )

"How Did You Know I Was An Officer"

 

The Lieutenant had been out of the Navy for just over a year when he walked into a ‘Men’s Warehouse’ to buy a suit. The clerk asked…

“What can I do for you, Lieutenant.”

The former officer stared at him in amazement.

“How did you know I was an officer?”

“Well, you’re old enough to be a Lieutenant…”

“Yes, but that doesn’t explain how you knew I was an officer.”

“You won’t get mad if I tell you?”

… the Lieutenant shook his head …

"When someone walks in who looks like the devil and acts like the ‘Almighty’ … he or she’s an officer.

"Sailors Girl in Every Port"

 WARNING: They say that consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell ever happened to your pants anyway. Here is a collection of shenanigans over the years with sailors and the girls in every port …  

( FiN )

"The Kid in us All"

 Rather it is a little brother, sister, cousin, nephew, niece, son, daughter … etc., etc. … Kids can always be a point of humor between a sailor and his muse. I hope you enjoy this collection of sailors dealing with the other side of the family …

( FiN )