Yes!!

Thanks to all who've supported my writing of a cookbook in order to educate the general public about The Silent Service through culinary specialists, recipes and menus. A first-of-its kind book, a portion of proceeds to go to USSVI memorial boats and, possibly, scholarships. Another portion to memorial boats that sell the book. Not a financial windfall for me.

As some you know, in 2007 the book was well on its way when I traveled in May to Norfolk to confirm the book and its contents with SUBFOR's chief culinary specialist, who was to access sub CSs for recipes. This didn't happen. In October, this person dropped the book without explanation. The book languished for nearly a year; but I never gave up using the book to honor past, present and future submariners and their families.

Book Awakening: As a USVI lifetime member, associate member COD Base, I was forunate to meet SUBFOR's Master Chief Jeffrey Garrison when he, along with Admiral Donnelly, visited COD recently. When I presented to Chief Garrison my submarine cookbook file folder, he'd had no previous info about the project. He said he'd provide my info to the CSCM now on staff; that I'd really appreciate working with this CSCM.

Within two days, I received from this CSCM an e-mail stating that I am family, that the book is an exciting project that he hopes to help me bring to full circle.

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Thanks to some of you, I have about 50 quotes pertaining to food service-related topics. These quotes are sprinkled throughout the book.

If you've given me a quote, and I haven't responded, please send again.

If you're an enlistee from SSGNs, SSBNs, need your quotes.

If you're an officer, know that I'm woefully lacking these quotes.

And if you're a DBF, send me a paragraph; I'll reduce it to a two-line quote that I might no already have.

Quotes include name, city/state, rate, duty (for civilians), name of one boat.

Finally, my thanks to each of you who've contributed thus far to this cookbook, whether with quotes, encouragement or suggestions.

And above all, for your voluntary heroic service in defending our country's freedoms.  While you're super intelligent, as a civilian who has dived on smokeboats, I suspect you're kind of insane to do what you do.

Then again, poor mom had two children above and beneath at the same time. Daugher, a flight attendant in the sky; Son, submariner beneath the ocean.

Nancy

Hi, Patti:

Great to see your messagel As you might imagine, I'm on cloud nine. However, I'm no spring chicken and am looking at a maximum 2-year window to get this important and historical book published, to book stores.

Cross your fingers, legs, feet, arms, eyes, etc.

Again, so good "talking" with you.

Best to you and yours,

Nancy

PS: How about a cookbook quote from Gary as SSBN?

Thanks to all for your support, enthusiasm.

Yep, Joe, there is a quote about SOS from a diesel boater on USS Argonaut. No one's yet to mention Navy bean soup; however, I'll be including the recipe in the book. Can't resist it.

“In my diesel boat days, we had an open icebox in port and as much as we cared to eat at sea. We had a ball! We ate extra portions of everything we liked from French toast, waffles and sausage to cheeseburgers, steaks and roasts and, especially, ice cream. And when coming off watch, a half loaf of just-baked bread topped with butter and cinnamon sugar before hitting the rack. Some folks might be surprised, but among crew favorites? Toast topped with creamed chip beef (SOS) or minced hamburg gravy."