PRESERVING A MILITARY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
The following Reflection represents MUCS James E. Richards’s legacy of their military service from 1971 to 1995. If you are a Veteran, consider preserving a record of your own military service, including your memories and photographs, on Togetherweserved.com (TWS), the leading archive of living military history. The Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview, located on your TWS Military Service Page, which enables you to remember key people and events from your military service and the impact they made on your life.
Do You Have A Favorite Photo From Your Military Service? What Memories Does This Photo Bring Back For You?
This photo was taken of a COMNAVAIRLANT Band called “Third Wire” resting on the tarmac at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily in February 1973. We were assigned to Commander Task Force 60.1 (ADM Turner) stationed aboard the flagship USS Forrestal CVA-59. We had flown from Forrestal to NAVSIG for a performance there and other locations in Sicily, but had returned to the Naval Station for our flight back to the ship. When we arrived, they shuttled us out to the Flight Line to our aircraft and dropped us off. Unfortunately, the aircraft was not ready to depart, and we had about an hour to kill before boarding and flying out.
You can see the mailbags standing behind the aircraft that we will soon be boarding. As we mingled about on the tarmac we realized what a nice warm February day it was and, as anyone knows who has been to sea, sleep is something you cherish. We all just lay down on the warm tarmac using each other as pillows. Not a posed photo but real sailors who wanted some sleep. The Admiral had a Chief Photographer go with us on this trip to document our performance. He was traveling with us and I will credit him with capturing this impromptu moment. So the photo credit goes to PHC Barfield. I miss those shipmates, some who are no longer with us. But, I believe this photo shows the camaraderie and bond we formed during our time-serving together. Every time I see this photo, which is framed in my office, I remember fondly those young men I served with in my youth. BZ, and thanks!
James E. Richards
MUCS USN, ret.
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