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Daniel Hutchinson
I’d like to apologize to all of you, after my last exchange regarding little feedback, lack of interest, I have had several exchanges with Gary Acker and we’ve seen Ruth’s and Beverly’s comments. It was also good to see Pete’s input and the blurb from Ferron.
After my ego was bruised, I mentioned to my wife, Jane, how discourage I was trying for five years-plus, attempting to stir some interest without much interest. I told her “I give up”. She said “Your classmates are going to think you are a cry baby”. Now after two or three weeks, I was thinking it was immature to go in and delete all of my input (if there wasn’t any interest, why take up valuable space), for that I apologize.
After reading Beverly’s horrific problems, pain she has endured with her eyes, I thought I was being a cry baby. Heaven knows we all have things in our lives to deal with, some more dramatic and serious than others. I’ve had a few issues, but am sitting here typing in relatively good healthy. I have had my appendix rupture, and three near death experiences from that, then both eyes have had the cataract surgery, and one had a detached retina, but all have been repaired. I suppose it is natural to focus on our own problems, not giving too much thought to what others might be going through. The quote comes to mind, which I heard when we were about 14 or 15; a Helen Keller quote: “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet”. No more needs to be said on that!
As you all know I joined the Navy in August of 1962, went to Boot Camp in San Diego, then Radio School in Norfolk, Va. After being graduated from Radio School, I was assigned to The Taiwan Defense Command (TDC), in Taipei, Taiwan. Still 18 years old, this was my first experience with culture shock. The whole experience was one of wonder. My mind soaked everything in like a sponge. While in Taiwan I celebrated my 19th birthday, my mother and step-dad sent me a beautiful black jade ring with a diamond in the center. It was the diamond from the engagement ring my mother had been given by my biological father. I still have the ring, there was more story behind the ring, but I’m already making this too long.
I wanted to respond to Gary’s question about “where were you when John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated”? I’m sure I related the story of my getting ready to go to a soccer game with a young lady (blind date) from the American School of Taipei. One of my shipmates was dating a girl from the school and wanted me to take a friend to the soccer game, as a double date. It was Saturday morning, already the 23rd in Taiwan. I put on a nice ski sweater I had purchased for my step-brother for Christmas, went down stairs to the dining area, passing through a pool room, and noticed a very somber mood, a couple of the Chinese dining room help were in tears. I asked what the problem was, and was told that President Kennedy had been assassinated. It was like a blow, I immediately went to the office and called my office at the TDC, and learned more about the event. Naturally, all recreational, sports and festive activities were canceled. I went back to my room, took the sweater off and repacked it for my brother’s Christmas present. I went into work and there was a Teletype depiction of President Kennedy made from the type, letters, figures and symbols of the Teletype printer. I kept a copy of the likeness and still have it, saving it in a book (similar to a year book) of my Viet Nam trip on the ship I was later assigned to. I’m attaching a copy here. I hope it isn’t too faded for you to see what it looked like.
With the technological advances, and social media, about four years ago, via a TDC web site, I was able to determine for certain the young lady I was supposed to have the blind date with, was contributing to the stories on the TDC link. We became facebook friends. It’s interesting for me to finally learn of her identity, that she lives in New England, was married and has a couple of children. It is indeed a small world.
OK, guys, I still have some stories to share, but will spare you from more right now. I pray you all remain in good health and that life is still worth living for you.
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