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Don Abele
10-01-2008, 5:19 PM
Well today was a pretty sad day for me. It was my last day onboard USS CONSTITUTION. I am transferring to Portsmouth, VA to take over as the Command Master Chief of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron TWO. That's a big name. We are a rapidly world-wide deployable security group that protects Naval assets throughout the world.

This is "sea" duty for me, which means lots of time away from home. I'll be spending the next couple of weeks here in Massachusetts with my family and then heading down by myself - the family stays here. Our house is on the market, but nothing is moving here, and besides, there's no sense in them moving now when I'll be deployed for the next 4-6 months! So hopefully I'll get them down to Virginia around summer time.

I'm hoping that the various countries I'll be deployed to in the Middle East will afford me the opportunity to have some Wi-Fi access (which is pretty common) so I can get my occasional dose of SMC. I'm not due to ship over until the end of the month/beginning of November.

So...that also means it was time to retire the top hat and cutlass sporting avatar. I've used a more relaxed one (yes I'm in a tie-dye) since I am on vacation right now. Once I get settled in, I'll get a pic in my new uniform (desert cammies) and use that one (I'll also update my location).

Be well,

Doc

JohnT Fitzgerald
10-01-2008, 6:06 PM
Don - best of luck to you in your new post, and most of all - be safe!! Good luck with selling your house, as we all know the market around here is pretty flat.

When do you ship out?

Jim O'Dell
10-01-2008, 6:50 PM
Good luck Don! And like John said, be safe. Thanks for your continued service for all of us! Jim.

Jerry Bruette
10-01-2008, 7:49 PM
Good luck Don and be safe!!

Will you be stationed on a ship or shore bases?

If you should make it over to Djibouti let me know if there's still a pretty girl behind every oak tree;)

Jerry

Ken Fitzgerald
10-01-2008, 7:54 PM
I hope your house sells soon, so your family can join you.

Be safe Doc!

mark page
10-01-2008, 8:35 PM
Best of luck Don,
I left VA Beach/Nas Norfolk area in '84 and went back on vacation in '86.
A lot had changed in 2 yrs. I haven't been back since but would like to make it back. I can't imagine how much has changed on the bay area this long.
Best wishes.

Don Abele
10-01-2008, 9:05 PM
...Will you be stationed on a ship or shore bases?...

Jerry, the squadron consists of security detachments, boat detachments, and command and control detachments. Security does all the land based security (or embarked to a vessel / oil platform). Boats do all the water borne security using 34 foot sea arks. And C2 does all the communication for the other guys. So sometimes on ships, sometimes not. Since I'm the CMC I won't be with a single unit - I'll be traveling from unit to unit. So it's a lot of travel. Mostly I'll be shore based so I've got my fingers crossed with nightly connectivity. I know I'll be spending some time out on the oil platforms, some have connectivity, some do not. All in all it should be VERY exciting and always different. I'm really looking forward to it.

Be well,

Doc

Jim Becker
10-01-2008, 9:05 PM
Oh, man...giving up that sword had to hurt, especially when it could be used as a woodworking tool in a pinch... LOL

Hey, best wishes on the transition and stay safe!

Dave Anderson NH
10-01-2008, 9:08 PM
Good luck and best wishes in your new assignment. You keep yourself and your people safe. I hope you manage to get up this way again some time.

Be well.

Don Abele
10-01-2008, 9:25 PM
Oh, man...giving up that sword had to hurt, especially when it could be used as a woodworking tool in a pinch... LOL

Hey, best wishes on the transition and stay safe!

Jim, while I did give up my CUTLASS that I wore in uniform, I was presented a brand-new replica cutlass (about $500) as a gift from my Chief Petty Officer's Mess. It's mounted on a beautiful piece of oak (salvaged from several hull planks).



Good luck and best wishes in your new assignment. You keep yourself and your people safe. I hope you manage to get up this way again some time.

Be well.


Dave, we are planning to ultimately retire in the New England area (most likely Maine). So I know I'll be back...but don't know when. It may be as long as another eight years (I'm at 22 now and 30 really is the max they allow most of us to stay).

Be well,

Doc

Dave Ray
10-01-2008, 10:54 PM
Don, first of all welcome to Va. This new billet CMC sounds like one tough job with all the traveling in unfriendly places, sorry you have to be separated from your family in addition. Please remember SMC has a lot of members here in the Tidewater area, so should you feel the need to smell, feel sawdust you will be welcomed in a lot of shops when not on the road. Thank you for your service to our country and I wish you fair winds and following seas.

Art Mulder
10-01-2008, 11:07 PM
(I'm at 22 now and 30 really is the max they allow most of us to stay).

22 !? You don't look a day over... er, never mind. ;)

Eric Larsen
10-01-2008, 11:32 PM
Must be a bittersweet moment -- leaving Ol' Ironsides cannot be an easy thing to do.

As always, stay safe!

Don Abele
10-01-2008, 11:36 PM
Don, first of all welcome to Va. This new billet CMC sounds like one tough job with all the traveling in unfriendly places, sorry you have to be separated from your family in addition. Please remember SMC has a lot of members here in the Tidewater area, so should you feel the need to smell, feel sawdust you will be welcomed in a lot of shops when not on the road. Thank you for your service to our country and I wish you fair winds and following seas.

Dave, this will be my third time in the Tidewater area. I was there from 1992-1996 on a submarine in Norfolk (lived in Virginia Beach) and then again from 2003-2005 on another submarine in the shipyard at Portsmouth (lived in Chesapeake). It's nice to come back to somewhere that we know so well. Thank you very much for the general invite for sniff sawdust :p.


22 !? You don't look a day over... er, never mind. ;)

Thanks Art...that made my day! Amazing to think that I've been in the Navy that long. I can remember the day I left home to ship off to boot camp. Time sure does fly when you are having fun - and I have loved ALMOST every minute of the past 22 years, especially the last three and a half. I'm going to miss the CONSTITUTION and her absolutely amazing crew. It was, by far, the highlight of my career and I'm afraid that nothing will top it in the next eight or so years I have left.


Must be a bittersweet moment -- leaving Ol' Ironsides cannot be an easy thing to do.

As always, stay safe!

Absolutely...I've not been feeling my most chipper today. It was sad to leave her and the crew. But I'm really excited about this new assignment. But as I said, I don't think anything will ever be able to top Old Ironsides!

Be well,

Doc

Andy Hoyt
10-02-2008, 11:33 AM
Go get 'em doc.

And there's always a light on up here when you're ready.

Dewey Torres
10-02-2008, 7:39 PM
Don,
I still have rental property in Hampton Roads so next time I go there to check on it I will swing by for a chat!

Bruce Page
10-02-2008, 8:16 PM
You're looking good Doc!
Take good care of yourself over there.

Jim Becker
10-03-2008, 8:50 PM
Jim, while I did give up my CUTLASS that I wore in uniform...

Well...it was a long pointy thing with sharp edges and a nice handle. I guess I'll have to bone up on the names of said things someday... LOL :D

Don Abele
10-03-2008, 10:30 PM
Jim, this is a cutlass:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=97977&stc=1&d=1223087221

Curved blade, heavy and thick, only one side sharp - this was made for REAL combat.


This is a sword:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=97978&stc=1&d=1223087221

Straight blade, light and wispy, sharp on both sides- this was made for gentlemanly dueling.

Be well,

Doc

Randy Moore
10-05-2008, 5:04 PM
Don,

A great big THANK YOU for you and all of the milatary women and men!:)

GOD BLESS you.:)

Joe Unni
10-05-2008, 5:31 PM
Don,

I never did get a chance to come down and see you - I'm in MA on the NH border.

FYI - I've got a very good friend who live a stone's throw from you right there at the marina.

Good luck and thank you for your service.

-joe

Glenn Clabo
10-05-2008, 6:19 PM
Fair winds Doc. It was great to finally spend an afternoon with you and if you get to the sandbox in the next few months...don't forget to lookup up my son.

Don Abele
12-21-2008, 6:25 PM
Well, having transferred to Virginia 3 months ago now, I finally have some time to post. The new avatar is the most recent photo of me from Kuwait where I currently find myself "in the sandbox" at Camp Patriot. I'll be here through the new year and then will be heading north to the Iraqi oil platforms for a couple of months.

Our house is still on the market in Boston with no takers...the market just seems to continue to stay low, so no telling when I'll get the family moved down to Virginia with me (not that I'm there right now).

Here's a shot of me on the forward gun (a 50 cal, "reach out and touch ya" ) while escorting a submarine through the Panama Canal a couple of months ago. It was interesting to see things from "the other side" as I was on a submarine that transited the canal several years ago.

104204

These are the boats we use to patrol the Gulf...this is in the Persian Gulf last week:

104205

My internet access is sporadic at best and the time difference is a bear. But hopefully I'll be able to check in from time to time, as opposed to the three month gap (there was 28 pages of new posts!).

Everyone be well,

Doc

JohnT Fitzgerald
12-21-2008, 6:32 PM
Doc, thanks for the update, and above all be safe.

Dave Ray
12-21-2008, 6:43 PM
Doc, the Navy promised you adventure..... they gave you a hell of a time jump. From Old Ironsides to the newest gun boat, WOW..... LOL I do hope by the time your tour there is done, your family is able to join you in VA. Thank you for your service to our country, and please be safe. Merry Christmas

Steve Schlumpf
12-21-2008, 7:00 PM
Doc - thanks for the update! Glad you are doing well! Your tour will be over before you know it! Be safe and Merry Christmas!

Do me a favor and be sure to let all our folks over there know that they thought of and the job they do is appreciated by all of us here back home!

Joe Chritz
12-21-2008, 7:34 PM
From all of ours to all of yours, stay safe. I am sure you know this better than I but take care of your guys and they will take care of you.

Love the Ma Deuce.

Stay safe

Joe

Ted Shrader
12-21-2008, 8:48 PM
Doc -

Congratulations on the new assignment (a couple of months late - sorry). Where is MES Squadron TWO based? I know you said Portsmouth in your original post and you will be on the road a lot - as you are now.

The remaining eight years will pass in a flash. Mine sure did.

And another sawdust invitation from me stands if you need a "fix" and ever get to town.

Stay safe!

Regards,
Ted

Ron Journeau
12-21-2008, 9:33 PM
I somehow missed this post the first time, and have been wanting to tell you how much my son and his school buddies enjoyed their tour of the CONSTITUTION this fall, though he told me he completely forgot to ask for you while he was there...I had given him your name, kinda just in case...though I guess a bunch of french speaking teens would kinda stick out down there (we have Jake in french highschool) Anyway, as it has been said many times already, be safe, keep well, and many happy holiday wishes to you and your family. Thanks for what you do, so that we can do what we want to do. Keep in touch when you can

Ron

Von Bickley
12-21-2008, 9:40 PM
Doc,

Best of luck to you..... Take care and stay in touch.......

Gary Herrmann
12-21-2008, 9:54 PM
Good luck, Don. Take care of yourself.

Dewey Torres
12-21-2008, 10:07 PM
Stay safe out there CMDCM!

Jim Becker
12-21-2008, 10:11 PM
Thanks for the update, Doc!! It sure does look a little different "out there" than hanging out on that magnificent, but old, ship in Beantown! Keep your eye out for another SMC member who occasionally heads in that direction, although he's probably flying over your head, delivering "who knows what" to "who knows where".

Stay safe... ;)

Jeff Lien
12-21-2008, 10:14 PM
Hi Don
We haven't met but thanks for your service and dedication
Jeff

Dennis Peacock
12-22-2008, 9:39 AM
Thanks for the update Don. Stay safe my friend and thanks for your service to our country. BTW, I used to store, handle, and load them little bitty bullets you have in the "rifle" of yours on that boat. ;)
Used to play with bullets all the way up to 40MM HEI. :D :cool: :D

Butch Edwards
12-22-2008, 1:38 PM
Well, having transferred to Virginia 3 months ago now, I finally have some time to post. The new avatar is the most recent photo of me from Kuwait where I currently find myself "in the sandbox" at Camp Patriot. I'll be here through the new year and then will be heading north to the Iraqi oil platforms for a couple of months.

Our house is still on the market in Boston with no takers...the market just seems to continue to stay low, so no telling when I'll get the family moved down to Virginia with me (not that I'm there right now).

Here's a shot of me on the forward gun (a 50 cal, "reach out and touch ya" ) while escorting a submarine through the Panama Canal a couple of months ago. It was interesting to see things from "the other side" as I was on a submarine that transited the canal several years ago.

104204

These are the boats we use to patrol the Gulf...this is in the Persian Gulf last week:

104205

My internet access is sporadic at best and the time difference is a bear. But hopefully I'll be able to check in from time to time, as opposed to the three month gap (there was 28 pages of new posts!).

Everyone be well,

Doc

Keep yer head down....:p
and from one vet to another....Thanks ....;)

Don Abele
01-07-2009, 9:27 PM
Well guys, sorry it has taken so long. I was away longer than I had hoped I would be and had no access. I'm "in the rear" for a few days now and will enjoy my respite at Camp Patriot while I can. I have 32 pages of new threads to catch up on :eek:. Wish the connection here was a little better so that I could read them all, but I'm lucky if I can stay connected for 30 minutes.

Got to talk to the family on Christmas (via Sat Phone) and found out we had gotten 18 inches of snow in Massachusetts. Nice!!! Sure missed it. The sand was kinda white and blew around a lot like snow :p. It was quiet though and everyone came back safe and I can't ask for a better gift.

Hope to catch up on some threads and get my SMC fix while I can.

Be well,

Doc

Don Abele
01-07-2009, 9:28 PM
Doc, the Navy promised you adventure..... they gave you a hell of a time jump. From Old Ironsides to the newest gun boat, WOW..... LOL I do hope by the time your tour there is done, your family is able to join you in VA. Thank you for your service to our country, and please be safe. Merry Christmas

Dave this new assignment is completely different from anything I've done before, though it does have some similarities with my time with the Marines when I first came in.


Doc - thanks for the update! Glad you are doing well! Your tour will be over before you know it! Be safe and Merry Christmas! Do me a favor and be sure to let all our folks over there know that they thought of and the job they do is appreciated by all of us here back home!

Steve, I tell everyone over here how much America supports them. Those of us that have been around long enough know it inherently, but the younger guys need reassurance.

I have a saying that I use a lot for friends/family..."I don't ask you to support war or even our government, but ask that you support our troops. They are your husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters and they deserve your support."


Doc - Congratulations on the new assignment (a couple of months late - sorry). Where is MES Squadron TWO based? I know you said Portsmouth in your original post and you will be on the road a lot - as you are now. The remaining eight years will pass in a flash. Mine sure did. And another sawdust invitation from me stands if you need a "fix" and ever get to town. Stay safe! Regards, Ted

Ted, thanks again for the invite. As I said before, I'll take you up on it when I get back in town. My unit is based at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Since my family is still in Boston, they put me up in a barracks out in Little Creek (not that I've been there much).


I somehow missed this post the first time, and have been wanting to tell you how much my son and his school buddies enjoyed their tour of the CONSTITUTION this fall, though he told me he completely forgot to ask for you while he was there...I had given him your name, kinda just in case...though I guess a bunch of french speaking teens would kinda stick out down there (we have Jake in french highschool) Anyway, as it has been said many times already, be safe, keep well, and many happy holiday wishes to you and your family. Thanks for what you do, so that we can do what we want to do. Keep in touch when you can. Ron

Ron, CONSTITUTION was my greatest duty station in 22 years. I really do miss her...more so, I miss the crew - they are a great bunch of Sailors and I was proud to call them mine.


Thanks for the update, Doc!! It sure does look a little different "out there" than hanging out on that magnificent, but old, ship in Beantown! Keep your eye out for another SMC member who occasionally heads in that direction, although he's probably flying over your head, delivering "who knows what" to "who knows where". Stay safe...

Jim, have been out to our APOD (air port of debarkation). It's where everything comes in and out via air that destined for here, Iraq, or Afghanistan. My guys provide the security for the planes. There's also the SPOD (sea port of debarkation) where everything comes in via ship (which is most of the gear). My guys not only protect the port, but the ships as well (from both on the ship and via small boats following).


Thanks for the update Don. Stay safe my friend and thanks for your service to our country. BTW, I used to store, handle, and load them little bitty bullets you have in the "rifle" of yours on that boat. Used to play with bullets all the way up to 40MM HEI.

We don't quite use rounds that big...a little too much for our high speed quick response missions. But boy I'd love to shoot them! The 50 is just pure fun!!!


From all of ours to all of yours, stay safe. I am sure you know this better than I but take care of your guys and they will take care of you. Love the Ma Deuce. Stay safe Joe


Doc, thanks for the update, and above all be safe.


Doc, Best of luck to you..... Take care and stay in touch.......


Good luck, Don. Take care of yourself.


Stay safe out there CMDCM!


Hi Don. We haven't met but thanks for your service and dedication. Jeff


Keep yer head down.... ...and from one vet to another....Thanks ....

For all of you above, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. While I said I know that what we do is appreciated, it is nice even for me to hear it. Your wishes of staying safe are heartfelt and I can't thank you enough for it. I and my fellow service members do what we do because of you and for you.

Again, thank you all...

Be well,

Doc

Jackie Outten
01-08-2009, 12:02 AM
Hey Don

PM me your address and the number of soldiers in your unit and we will send some Freedom Pens.

Jackie

Ken Fitzgerald
01-08-2009, 12:27 AM
Thank your troops for us Doc! Stay safe and communicate with us when you can!

Lee Schierer
01-08-2009, 8:14 AM
Don, I never saw the old girl until after I retired, but boy what a ship she is. I had a hard time ending my brief visit. I'm sure you know her much better than the average visitor and will miss her. Her lines and what she stands for are something that is almost breath taking when you first see her. Good luck on your next assignment.

Lee

Capt. USNR (ret)

Don Abele
02-04-2009, 9:27 AM
Man...it's been almost a month since I've been able to post. For the last couple of weeks I was able to connect and read, but as soon as I tried to post - poof...connection lost.

Oddly enough, I'm able to post now and I'm on an oil platform off the coast of Iraq using a satellite connection that routes through Great Britian (go figure).

I've got some great photos I want to post, but the military has locked out all our USB ports because of a huge virus scare. So I'm gonna have to wait until I get back stateside at the end of March before I can.

In the mean time, it's nice to get a fix of the Creek and now to be able to "talk" back as well.

Be well,

Doc
(currently on the Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal)

Dennis Peacock
02-04-2009, 9:40 AM
Go git'em Don.!!! Watch you "six" and keep the sand out of your keyboard.

You are missed for sure and will be glad when you are back state side.

Steve Schlumpf
02-04-2009, 11:05 AM
Hope you are doing well! Looking forward to the photos! Be safe!

Ted Shrader
02-04-2009, 2:00 PM
Hi Doc -

It is great you could get to P/D and get a mast up instead of just copying on the wire. Thanks for checking in and the update. Keep your head down and watch out for your guys. (Like I really need to say that! :))

Regards,
Ted

Bruce Page
02-04-2009, 2:35 PM
Good to hear from ya Doc. Stay safe!
I look forward to the pics!

Jim Becker
02-05-2009, 3:11 PM
'Glad to hear from you, Don!! Stay safe. We can wait for the pictures!

Don Abele
02-06-2009, 7:18 AM
...It is great you could get to P/D and get a mast up instead of just copying on the wire...

:) You know Ted, there are few people that would know what that means. Thanks for the chuckle (the thought of coming to P/D in the sand :p). It's nothing like the good ol' days of family grams. Now even the boats have "Sailor mail" underway which is pretty reliable. It's amazing that even out here in the middle of now where we are able to connect via satellite, albeit sketchy at times.

Be well,

Doc