i received a gift several days ago. Totally unexpected, it was delivered in a small box at the front door. We get a lot of them because we use Amazon quite a bit (in erroneous logic, i claim it is to take advantage of the “prime” free shipping).

When i opened it, my jaw dropped about six inches. Five coasters were inside. They are nice coasters. What was etched on those coasters is what floored me. It was even more surprising when i found who had sent them.

Darryl Gunter.

Darryl is one amazing guy. He was a boiler technician — still “Boiler Tender” to me. He was on my last ship, the USS Yosemite (AD 19) when we deployed to the Indian Ocean, 1983-84. When i wrote my book, Steel Decks and Glass Ceilings, Darryl was one of the few folks who sent me photos to include.

Darryl has created a very successful boiler business in Atlanta. He is the “Chapter Commander” of the Combat Vets Association 25-8, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and North Cobb American Legion Post 304. He is a patriot through and through. Currently, he is riding around the country on his motor cycle and will be out here in about a month.

i cannot wait to see him to thank him in person.

i received a number of honors while serving in the Navy. i’m most proud of my two commendation medals. But i cherish what a number of my superiors wrote about me in their reports of fitness and recommendations. Yet, there is only one that compares to what Darryl sent me.

In 1982, i was the emergency executive officer on USS Cayuga (LST 1189) for almost three months. It was a grueling time, including Amphibious Refresher Training and several incidents, two of which before i arrived involved a crew members losing their lives. The sitting XO had a nervous breakdown. As my work neared completion, The captain, Commander John Kelly recommended i stay on board to complete my required XO tour. The squadron commodore, Captain Jim McIntyre also recommended my staying aboard. The bureau said no. Still, these recommendations made me feel very good.

Yet, the only one i can remember that still makes me feel good as much as Darryl’s gift came 42 years go. Five quartermasters wrote a letter of appreciation as i was completing the XO assignment and returning to my regular tour as current operations officer on the Amphib staff.

i valued our sailors and these two gifts recognized i did. That is the best compliment i could receive:

Darryl’s gift nd the quartermaster’s letter:

“Thanks” really does feel like a feeble response. But thank you, Darryl and Picconi, Ling, Demers, Klein, and Bickford. Thank you.

Note: i once again apologize for my inability to manage graphics in Word Press.