He was a genuine, gentle, and kind person. We had similar religious and political leanings. Mike had many medical issues (most of them caused by exposure to Agent Orange) and was under care at the local VA Hospital in Portland. We spent a memorable evening together at beautiful restaurant catching up and reminiscing. Most of the time, Mike and I would just have great phone conversations updating each on the latest in our lives and trying to solve the world’s problems! My wife and I made a trip to Portland a few years ago, and the highlight was a visit with Mike. Sometimes we were successful!!įollowing the war, we made contact again. We tried to meet girls and he used his camera as an introduction. We would often go on Liberty together in Honolulu and various Asian ports which were visited by thousands of Westpac ships during the Vietnam War. He did some weddings and other jobs for the officers, which got him out of a lot of the mundane Military duties on the ship. Mike used his photographic skills to become the official ship’s photographer. Built in 1945, the ship was nicknamed the “Dirty Ernie”, a much deserved title! We were both E-3 Seaman aboard one of the oldest ships in the 7th fleet. Mike and I were friends for most of 1967-69. Just heard the bad news that my best buddy on the USS Ernest G.
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