Recollections of Thirty-two Years in the U.S. Coast Guard
And Other Ramblings
by
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That for one shinning moment, a few moments back in time, In very heavy seas, when many lives were on the line, That we, the dirty deck gang, much sneered at and maligned, Laid forth our worth and mettle, in Master Chief Friststead’s mind. *****
Nineteen-eighty was not a good year for Quaalude Al. And, had he known what he didn’t know, he wouldn’t have done what he did. But he didn’t know what he didn’t know, so he did what he did; and it wasn’t good.
*****
“Get down there and secure those barrels,” someone hollered from a position of safety.
“You’ve got to be Goddamn crazy!” someone said. “We’ll be killed!”
“If that aviation gas goes, we’ll all be killed!” the Boatswain said. “This way, only a few will be killed.”
Just then the first class boatswain’s mate stepped forward. He wasn’t well educated, nor a snappy dresser when ashore, but he was a good sailor.
“Follow me, men,” he said as he started down the ladder.
And we followed him. How could we not?
*****
To me, stories of his existence, of which there were many, were like the stories of the ‘Great White Buffalo’ to the American Indians, thundering out of nowhere, snorting steam, trampling all in its path, ornery, and contrary to reason.
I would encounter ‘The Great White Russian’ on this day, and escape, only to serve as his operations officer several years hence.
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About the Book
“The Bible not withstanding, this is the greatest book ever written.”
An advertisement the author intended to take out in,
The St. Petersberg Times.
“This book should be required reading for everyone in the world.” From an advertisement the author tried to take out in the, ............The New Yorker Magazine.
“I know this man,……….he’s stupid. But he tells a good story.” A general consensus of those who know the author.
“If God hasn’t stopped him, he must be proof that I exist, …… ……Mephistopheles!
This is a collection of humorous stories I recall from my time in the service, and shortly thereafter. It is my nature to poke fun at things I find funny, or in some cases, sad. Most, almost all, of these recollections are accurate, but a couple have been embellished a little where they needed help. I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I enjoyed writing them.
About the Author
Mr. Meininger was born and raised in the