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It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all --In which case you fail by default.
-JK Rowling
Feel free to use this image in whatever way you wish! I would be grateful for a credit link to stubblepatrol.com. Thank you!
TWO USN MEN SERVING UNDER JFK 1962
A good friend and I thought it would be cool to see how the Japanese celebrated New Year's Eve in Tokyo. At the time, trench coats were popular and we were dressed to the teeth, wanting to make a good impression on our host nation.
This photo was shot by a pedestrian who volunteered to take our photo with my Petri. It was New Year's afternoon of 1961. We ended up at an upscale establishment and felt a trifle uncomfortable until we had consumed a bit of sake. Before the evening was over, many of the Japanese in the club were in good moods and we were all toasting to a new and prosperous New Year. It was a memorable evening and our New Year's toasts became a reality as Japan became an economic super power and my friend received a commission and orders to flight school.
In the Navy of the 60s, on-site commissioning was standard proceedure and it happened frequently in our squadron. My good friend was a specialist in intelligence matters and flight simulators.
Within a few weeks after this photo was taken, my friend traded in his enlisted dress blues with second-class petty officer chevrons and became a commissioned officer, a Lieutenant Junior-Grade, United States Navy.
He then headed off to flight school in Pensacola, Florida. I have not seen him since. Hopefully, he had a great and safe career as a Naval Aviator. He has always remained foremost in my mind as an admirable example of how making serious and dedicated plans in youth will affect one's future success in accomplishments of one's goals.
Cheers to you, my friend, wherever you might have landed.