A Happy Day

One evening when Chuck had the duty (every fourth night was duty night) he was walking down the dock returning from someplace he’d been, I don’t remember where. The Quillback was tied up outboard another Boat, and I do not remember the name of it. 

Boats tied alongside each other at the docks

Sitting with his back against the conning tower was an old and dear friend, Wilbur (Red) Allen from Cedar Key, he and Chuck had enlisted in the Navy together. 

He watched Chuck walking down the dock and he said to him-self, “There ain’t but one little s.o.b in the world that walks like that.” Chuck did have a very distinctive walk.

He just waited to see where Chuck was going as he had no idea which Boat Chuck was stationed on. Eventually Chuck crossed the gang plank of the Boat Wilbur was sitting on.

He was crossing over to the Quillback, and he was not paying any attention to the person sitting with his back against the conning tower. The guys on duty often sit there when they are not on watch.

Wilbur waited till Chuck had just passed him and then he spoke, “Where the hell do you think you’re going you little sawed off s.o.b.?" Then he stood up as Chuck turned around to see who was addressing him in such a manner.

It took a second for Chuck to recognize Wilbur; it had been twelve years since they had last seen each other, what a great reunion they had! They had been best friends since they were kids and before they joined the Navy together.

From then on we visited with him and Pauline (his wife) and family often, Pauline always called him George, Chuck still called him Red. He had a wild sense of humor and would keep you laughing constantly when he was around. At that time Chuck and I still had no children.