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| We were returning to the states after a six month deployment to the Indian Ocean. The ammunition ship USS Pyro had not weathered the deployment well. Her gray superstructure was heavily streaked with rust stains and her once black non-skid deck had been faded almost white by the tropical sun. Initially the ship’s captain seemed to except this reality. The crew, after some well deserved downtime, could restore her appearance once we returned to our homeport. But, as we began to approach the Aleutian Islands on our way back to Concord, California his attitude changed dramatically. |
As strange as it sounds, because of a “dancing raisins” skit performed by members of her crew
for the benefit of other ships in our battle-group the Pyro, on entering American waters, was
now to play host to a group of VIP’s composed of high ranking officers and civilian advertising
executives.
wanted to be promoted to captain. Though he played no role in their creation he undoubtedly
saw the “dancing raisins” as an unequaled opportunity to impress his superiors. But, how
could he hope to win their favor with such a weather-worn ship? Action had to be taken. The
ship, both superstructure and deck would have to be painted before the VIP’s arrived.
reasonable man would have realized the futility of painting in the rain and would have
surrendered the battlefield. But our captain would not be deterred; he had a date with
destiny. So it came to pass that the USS Pyro’s deck department spent the next several days
painting the entire ship in the rain, freezing rain I might add. As silly as that sounds the tale
grows more absurd.
supplies. And one of those items was paint brushes. Could fate be that cruel to our ambitious
captain? Would his career be undone by a shortage of paint brushes? No, it was decided the
crew would be supplied with socks in lieu of paintbrushes. We were told to put them on our
hands, dip them into the paint cans and smear the paint on.
bulkhead, a paint soaked sock on my numb hand watching the paint I had just smeared on be
washed off by the freezing rain. Not a scene you’re ever likely to read in a Tom Clancy novel.
for the benefit of other ships in our battle-group the Pyro, on entering American waters, was
now to play host to a group of VIP’s composed of high ranking officers and civilian advertising
executives.
wanted to be promoted to captain. Though he played no role in their creation he undoubtedly
saw the “dancing raisins” as an unequaled opportunity to impress his superiors. But, how
could he hope to win their favor with such a weather-worn ship? Action had to be taken. The
ship, both superstructure and deck would have to be painted before the VIP’s arrived.
reasonable man would have realized the futility of painting in the rain and would have
surrendered the battlefield. But our captain would not be deterred; he had a date with
destiny. So it came to pass that the USS Pyro’s deck department spent the next several days
painting the entire ship in the rain, freezing rain I might add. As silly as that sounds the tale
grows more absurd.
supplies. And one of those items was paint brushes. Could fate be that cruel to our ambitious
captain? Would his career be undone by a shortage of paint brushes? No, it was decided the
crew would be supplied with socks in lieu of paintbrushes. We were told to put them on our
hands, dip them into the paint cans and smear the paint on.
bulkhead, a paint soaked sock on my numb hand watching the paint I had just smeared on be
washed off by the freezing rain. Not a scene you’re ever likely to read in a Tom Clancy novel.
