USS Robert A. Owens Shipmates Association

Continued News Items:


Another year has passed and we're all a little older. 

Last summer felt hotter and winter seems much colder. 

I rack my brain for happy thoughts, to put down on my pad, 

But lots of things, that come to mind just make me kind of sad. 

 

There was a time not long ago When life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand about 'Living in the Past'. 

We used to go to friend’s homes, football games and lunches.

 Now we go to therapy, to hospitals, and after-funeral brunches.

We used to have hangovers, from parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches and sleep the night away.
We used to go out dining, and couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags; Come home and take a pill.

We used to travel often to places near and far.  

Now we get backaches from riding in the car.
We used to go out shopping for new clothing at the Mall,
But, now we never bother...All the sizes are too small. 

That, my friend is how life is, And now my tale is told.
So, enjoy each day and live it up...Before you're too damn old!! 

Dave Mabie‎ to USS ROBERT A. OWENS DDK/DDE/DD 827

May 21, 2018 ·

USS Scorpion, SSN 589. After returning from Guantánamo Bay Cuba, one day after springboard. On this day fifty years ago, the USS Robert A Owens left Norfolk Virginia D&S Piers at about midnight,With about 1/3 ships crew. Myself being in first division forward, Boatswains mate. I was assigned to working the bridge, port and starboard watch. We were taking on 45° rolls, and 5° pitch. I saw a grown man In front of the Engine log telegraph crying for his mother. We experienced very intense weather 40+ft waves. We actually had to tie our selfs to our bunks in first division forward, or go airborne. We all had to take up birthing in the Dash hanger for two weeks.
Re-fueling every 2 to 3 days we cross the Atlantic to the Azores in about 7 to 8 days searching for the Scorpion. We traveled at about 15 knots. As a lookout I can tell you I have never seen so many lightbulbs floating in my life. Trash, everything from lifejackets to barrels and ladders. We had to report everything, and retrieve most. Returning to Norfolk Va. we actually lost power about 4:AM in the morning. Being dead in the water for 12 hours we were finally able to get up steam.��. Scorpion was lost with 99 man, May 22, 1968 located 400 miles South West of the Azores

 

                


EXPLAINATION OF LIFE On the first day, God created the dog and said, “Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I give your a life span of twenty years.” 
      The dog said, “Thats a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I’ll give you back the other ten? And God saw it was good.
 On the second day, God created the monkey and said, “Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I’ll give you a twenty-year life span.” 
      The monkey said, “Monkey tricks for twenty years? Thats a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?” And God again saw it was good. 
On the third day, God created the cow and said, “You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer’s family. For this I will give you a life span of sixty years.” 
      The cow said, “that’s kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty years and I’ll give back the other forty?” And God agreed it was good. 
On the fourth day, God created humans and said, “Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this I’ll give you twenty years.” 
      But the human said, “only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?” “Okay,” said God, “You asked for it..” 

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play, and enjoy ourselves. 
For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. 
For the next ten years, we do monkey trick to entertain the grandchildren. 
And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone. 

Life has now been explained to you. 
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information 
I’m doing it as a public service 

If you are looking for me, I will be on the front porch………. Travis Edrington Sept 26, 2019