Gordon Bauschka:  

Life Did 20 years in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club. Which really is the Navy. And that really is an acronym for "Never Again Volunteer Yourself". Had a very good tour in Ireland for 3 years. Married a lovely Colleen, Maureen, in '67 and a year later had one daughter. Ireland is a very beautiful country. Every travelogue you've seen about it is true. And in the 3 years, I toured a lot of it. North to south, east to west, and kissed the Blarney stone on the way. We had an interesting trip back in '76. We were stationed in Morocco, and with another family, drove to Derry City Northern Ireland. Took 5 days and 3 ferry trips one-way, but it was a blast. The real challenge was trying to keep in contact with each other. We took turns leading, and we agreed that if the leader made a wrong turn the follower would follow. It worked pretty well, 'cause we definitely made some wrong turns. Most interesting was the return trip. We left on a ferry from Portsmouth England and landed in Cherbourg France on the coast of Normandy. It was very sobering to stand on deck and look out at the beaches and envision what it might have been like on June 6th, 1944. Quite a sight I bet. Also to see the American cemeteries with their white crosses and stars of David all in perfect rows. It reminded me that most of us in the class of '61 had fathers, and uncles that were no doubt someway involved in this great conflict. It brought tears to my eyes, yet it was a magnificent site. Pulled some tours in San Diego, Guam, Binghamton New York, Pensacola FL on the USS Lexington, couple...Expand for more