|
|
Master and Commander
Posts: 2191
Location: Port Ludlow, WA (the Olympic Penninsula) | Subject: A Shipmate Needing Contact
Shipmates & Friends, Within our Olympic Peninsula Base, USSVI we are proud to have member Ed Ferris BMC(SS) USN Ret.. Edie doesn't elaborate much when asked about his Silver Star and four Purple Hearts, nor the deeds of his war patrols on the USS Drum in WWII, his service in the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam, he is as most WWII vets are, quite a humble and also a very humorous fellow. A couple of weeks ago Edie suffered a collapse while going to get his mail. Although no apparent physical harm nor mental impairment is seen, he cannot regain his equilibrium and is currently in a physical rehab center here in Silverdale, WA. His wife, Sylvia, cannot care for him at their home unless he can get his balance back so she commutes daily to stay with him. I have visited him a couple of times bringing him "my choice" of a couple of diesel boat hardbacks which he goes through in a hurry. He has his cell phone next to him in his room (360-271-3606) while staying at the Northwoods Lodge, 2321 Northwest Schold Place, Room #108, Silverdale, WA 98383-9504. Please take a moment to give him a call or send him a card. I know that he will be delighted and it all will help him keep his mind off of this, as yet, undiagnosed problem that he is experiencing...
Thank You
|
|
| |
|
Master and Commander
Posts: 2285
Location: Foothills of the Ozarks | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
Chief:
I've taken the liberty of adding Ed to the "Binnacle List" and requested the crew send him cards
Doc |
|
| |
|
COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2540
Location: Wappingers Falls, NY | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
Consider it done, John. All of you were so generous in taking the time to write to Garry when he needed his spirits lifted and to me when I needed comforting. He will be in my thoughts and prayers. |
|
| |
|
Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 597
Location: Tucson, Arizona | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
Card is in the mail to him - thanks for the heads up
ski |
|
| |
|
Master and Commander
Posts: 2191
Location: Port Ludlow, WA (the Olympic Penninsula) | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
Thanks to the several of you that have already followed through - this guy deserves it all believe me! |
|
| |
|
Holland Club
Posts: 101
Location: Brentwood, CA | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
Bos'n mates were pretty rare on Balao class submarines. I went to Mine Warfare School, Yorktown, VA with a Cox'n from the U.S.S. Perch SS-313 in 1949. The Perch had been converted to a transport and won a combat patrol pen in the Korean war There were 6 of us submarine people in a special class. I don't recall his name. Could this be him?
George Gambel |
|
| |
|
COMSUBBBS
Posts: 6180
Location: Summerville, SC | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
The 1st COB on Sennet SS-408 back in '44 was a BMC(SS) by the name of Jack "Panama Jack" Stevenson. Jack entered the Navy as a Sailmaker back in the early '30s. He's still with us, as far as I know, and living out in Colorado.
Card going out to Ed on the morning tide. I hope he gets well soon and is comfortable.  |
|
| |
|
Master and Commander
Posts: 2191
Location: Port Ludlow, WA (the Olympic Penninsula) | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
An update for all of you kind shipmates and ladies that have followed through with best wishes to my WWII fellow base member, Ed Ferris BMC(SS) USN.Ret. Ed is still at the same rehab center but it looks like he will be moved over to an assisted living (read; downhill health wise) next week. Ed is loosing his short term memory, he's confused and has very pronounced slurred speech. How much they have checked for, I don't know but as for an MRI or such (which would determine if he suffered a heart attack) they have NOT done which does seem kind of weird to me. Anyhow, Ed did tell me that he was REALLY happy to see the cards that came in from all over the United States. He is still sharp no matter what... I am close to this man, he has become as close as a family member could be to me (heros are easily adopted). I will dread his passing but see in him what I don't want to face in my own future. If I can still pinch a nurse. leave me alone - but if it comes down to what a nurse is, read: FEMALE" and I don't know - pull the plugs (or have me grab a hot one)... Thanks again guys and gals (AND Doc with our Dolphin Brotherhood - got it straight finally). I'm calling and visiting him as often as I can, his wife Sylvia is doing the same but she too is not in the best of health - DAMN THIS AGING!!!!!!
Edited by crystal 2010-09-03 3:56 PM
|
|
| |
|
Master and Commander
Posts: 2191
Location: Port Ludlow, WA (the Olympic Penninsula) | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHTDo not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Dylan Thomas
|
|
|
| |
|
COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2540
Location: Wappingers Falls, NY | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
John, this was one of my John's favorites...after we saw "G.I. Jane", we both started reading many of Dylan Thomas' works. |
|
| |
|
Master and Commander
Posts: 2191
Location: Port Ludlow, WA (the Olympic Penninsula) | Subject: RE: A Shipmate Needing Contact
I remember a movie with Rodney Dangerfield ("Back To School"?), wherein he was being given a final board for passing at college. He quoted this poem in front of the hatchet board and had them all in his hand. One of the most serious moments that I can remember Dangerfield on film, quite a different guy at that time... |
|
| |
A Shipmate Needing Contact
