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GOLD LIFERING
AWARDED

The prestigious Gold Lifering Award of the MMMM Society has been awarded to Dick, and his lovely wife Ruth for their rescue of three of man's best friends from the Banana River.
In a detailed account, Dick describes the events of that day...and night. Such an act of kindness also entitled Dick, and Ruth to Life Long Honorary Membership in the MMMM, and the titles of Admirals of the Banana River Lagoon. Three cheers for them both.

Switching to Mindspring? Tell them SLOWBELL sent you.

CAPTAIN STEVE
CHECKS IN

HELLO CAPT. BROOM, NOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER WE HAVE TIME TO WRITE.I RECEIVED YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS FROM PURSER CHARLIE TOMPKINS.I DON'T MIND IF YOU GIVE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS OUT TO ANY SHIPMATE. A BRIEF BIO YOU REQUESTED. I'M A JOHN W. BROWN GRADUATE CLASS OF 1964. I JOINT MSTS AS AN O/S IN 1964 AND MY FIRST SHIP WAS THE VICTORY SHIP LT.. JAMES E. ROBINSON T-AK 274 I SERVED ON THE ROBINSON ALSO AS A /B AND CARPENTER UNTIL 1967. IN 1967 I RECEIVED MY THIRD MATES LICENSE AND JOINT THE FAMOUS COL. WM. J. O'BRIEN T-AK 246. I ALSO SERVED AS SECOND OFF. ON THE O'BRIEN. IN 1972 I JOINT MSC'S UNDERWAY REPLENISHMENT PROGRAM AND JOINT THE OILER MARIAS T-AO 57 I SERVED ONBOARD THE MARIAS AS SECOND AND FIRST OFF. CARGO UNTIL1974. IN 1975-1976 AS FIRST OFF. CARGO ON OILER PAWCATUCK T-AO 108. IN 1977-79 ON RIGEL T-AF 58 AND MISSISSINEWA T-AO 144 AS FIRST OFF. CARGO AND FIRST OFF. ADMIN.

IN 1979 RECEIVED MY MASTERS LICENSE AND THE SAME DAY I JOINT THE MISSISSINEWA AS MASTER UNTIL 1980. I SERVED AS MASTER ON RIGEL, MISSISSINEWA, WACCAMAW, NEOSHO, NINE CONTINUES YEARS ON SATURN AND SIX ON CONCORD. I'M PRESENTLY ON SICK LEAVE AND PLAN TO RETIRE THIS YEAR. I LEAVE ON THE ISLAND OF CHIOS-GREECE WITH MY WIFE DESPINA AND TWO DAUGHTERS,KIRIAKI AND NINA. ON THE SAME ISLAND WE HAVE TWO OTHER MSC MASTERS TONY STEROS AND ANTONY PAPAZIS ALSO WE ALLOW ONE CH. ENG. ON THE ISLAND MIKE VLANTAS. ONCE A YEAR WE VISIT NORFOLK VA. TO SEE SHIPMATES AND MY OLD SHIPS. WARMEST REGARDS, STEPHEN

OTHER JOHN W.
BROWN GRADUATES

Captains
Ray Iacobbocci
Leroy Clausen
Ray Salinas
Carl Friberg
and
Gene Sirota - R/O

Bill Qu., chauffering for Carlos, picked him up in his 1957 Studebaker which he had restored almost completely. Outwardly, the car appeared like new, but for a few small things like a turn-signal light, and a malfunctioning windshield wiper, it was in mint condition. According to Carlos, the car ran great, even smelled like the cars of yore. Bill handled the two-foot wide steering wheel masterfully. Next week we hope to include pictures of this antigue. Arriving at seven-bells sharp ( 1130 ), Carlos, and Bill found Dick, Earl, and Gene Si. already seated, and the notorious heave-around in place, judiciously served up by Diane. Earl brought out his printed masterpieces from last weeks photo-ops, and passed them around, eliciting laughs from everyone. Shortly thereafter Bill V. meandered in, and then ten minutes or so after Bill, Dennis. We all know the purpose of these "late" entrances, and that is to be noticed. Oh well...we don't mind...we all have our quirks. Immediately we got into discussing our computer problems, after all, we are all online, and it is of common interest to us all. Around noonish we were surprised with the arrival of Bobbi, who has been away for about a month, visiting family, and "doing" England. It was nice to have her back, and it certainly brightened the meeting. Regretfully, Capn Ed couldn't be with us as he had to take his wife Shirley to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to see what was causing her headaches as of late. Time zoomed by, and before we knew it, it was 1300 - time to adjourn. We all gathered out front as Dick, and Gene took pictures of Bill's Studebaker. Let's hope they come out. Bill Qu. drove Carlos home, on the way stopping at the Super Market for a few odds, and ends. While traversing the isles, Bill mentioned that an old "flame" seemed interested in "renewing" their relationship, and possibly "moving in" with him. As we were checking out, I mentioned that he had four cats, and that bringing another into the house would cause problems. The young cashier heard this, and said she'd remember that. I then complimented her, adding that in most cases it's the animals that get upset...the wives couldn't care less....

Me father was the keeper of the Eddystone Light
And he slept with a mermaid one fine night
From this union there came three;
A porpoise and a porgy and the other was me!
Yo ho ho, the wind blows free,
Oh for the life on the rolling sea!

One night, as I was a-trimming of the glim
Singing a verse of the evening hymn
A voice on the starboard shouted "Ahoy!"
And there was my mother, a-sitting on a buoy.
Yo ho ho . . . .

"Oh what has become of my children three ?"
My mother then she asked of me.
"One was exhibited as a talking fish
The other was served from a chafing dish."
Yo ho ho . . . .

Then the phosphorous flashed in her seaweed hair.
I looked again, and my mother wasn't there
But her voice came echoing back from the night
"To Hell with the keeper of the Eddystone Light!"
Yo ho ho . . .

The Monday Morning Mariners' Meeting

The MMMM meets at 1130 every monday in the Captains Grill at the Holiday Inn in Cocoa Beach Florida, and is open to all - mariner or not. All are welcome who have a need for telling sea-stories, good company, and good food. There are no formalities, nor membership requirements. Take nothing seriously, nor believe anything you hear. Seating is by tenure, especially the chair nearest the bulkhead facing inboard. The meeting adjourns around 1300 for no reason whatsoever.
Your newsletter, Balmy Breezers, is published by, and for members of the MMMM on a weakly basis. This publication exists to inform, and entertain those interested in keeping abreast of the latest scuttlebutt.
Articles contained herein may be reprinted by other publications provided definitive written credit is given.
The mail address is as shown in the masthead. Delivery is by Internet shortly after each meeting.
Members are urged to submit material to the editor for inclusion in this newsletter, otherwise it will fizzle out toot-sweet.