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With Veteran’s Day just around the corner I’ve been thinking about my days
in the U.S. Navy. That’s right, I’m a decorated, crusty old salt who served
his country sailing the high seas on the BGCL, or Battleship Gray Cruise Lines.
While I never served our country during a war, I was ready if one had
come along.
I was aboard a ship headed for the Persian Gulf during the hostage
crisis, but the thing ended before my ship arrived. I’d like to believe it was
because they found out I was on the way, but I don’t know how much fear an
Illustrator-Draftsman puts in the heart of an enemy.
Yes, that’s correct. I protected my country by drawing pictures.
I’m sure Americans everywhere slept well knowing I was on the job, ready to
draw whatever it would take to overcome any enemy and all threats to democracy.
During one exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, we were part of a
multi-nation war exercise with Turkey and Greece. A Greek liaison officer was
sent to work with the squadron I belonged to.
His name was Commander Lukic and he was an officer in the Greek Navy.
I was a seamen, the lowest ranking person in my attachment.
His first day aboard (the operation was to take a week) I talked to
him quite a bit. I asked about life in Greece, the Greek Navy and such. Every
now and then, Commander Lukic would stop me, take out a little book and open it
for a moment, then we would resume our conversation. The book was a
Greek-English translator. I’m not sure included Southern English, but we
got by.
That evening the unit commander pulled me to the side and told me
since we were getting along so well, I was to spend as much time as I could with
Commander Lukic. I told him I would have probably did that without being asked
but I did appreciate the assignment.
During down times, we toured the ship. I took Commander Lukic to the
ships store to buy a cap with the ship’s logo. We taught one another to play
different card games. We discussed differences in each of our navies. If we
weren’t working, the two of us were doing something together.
I learned that in the Greek military, everyone starts out the lowest
enlisted rank and can advance all the way through, straight to being an officer.
The more rank you have, the longer your hair can be. His was halfway over his
ears. When you join the Greek Navy, it’s a 20 year hitch, not four like here
in the U.S.A.
I learned coffee in Greece was a delicacy and over $20 a pound (and
that was 1980). Most homes did not even have a coffee pot. I was able to
“procure” a large can of coffee from the ship’s storeroom for our guest.
He said he would buy a coffee pot.
The day came when my new friend had to return to Greece and the unit
was lined up just inside the door that led to the flight deck (the ship was a
LPH, or helicopter transport ship). Commander Lukic walked down the line,
saluting and then shaking hands and thanking each of the members of the unit for
their hospitality and time.
As he came to me, he returned my salute, grasped my hand and shook it
vigorously. Then, without warning, he kissed me on both my cheeks, right there
in front of God and everybody. And then he went through the door, back to his
country, his Navy and his family.
My commander came over and thanked me for all the free time I spent
with our guest. I told him I was glad to do it. I then mentioned I had been a
little embarrassed about being kissed in front of everybody like that. He told
me it was a special honor in the Greek custom and that I had been singled out
from the rest as someone special to him.
I replied that I understood. Inside, I was just glad he hadn’t
kissed me on the mouth.
Copyright 2006 Mark Berryman
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