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A Teacher? Me?

Memories of Mike Curtis

I served on Bergall from 1972 until 1976. I headed home from the Med, the same trip Capt. Wyatt's letter is about. What great memories those pages brought back. But if I recall correctly, they seem greater now than they did then.

My best memory about Bergall is, ironically, one of the worst experiences at the time. I was just about to get out of the Navy I had the "short timer's" attitude really bad. We had a new XO, CMDR Moritz, and we didn't like him. I recall how many times he said, "Back in the PAC" as he was comparing our boat to his old one. We didn't want to hear it.

When it came time for the XO's "ship over lecture", I was ready to tell him a thing or two about Navy life. But, to my surprise, he didn't try to talk me into staying in the Navy. He said that the Navy life just isn't right for some people. (I must of been acting like a real A..Hole for a while). Anyway, this really pissed me off. I was loaded for bear and he tells me to get out of the Navy.

The GALL.

He asked what I planned to do when I got out. I told him I was going to College, but I didn't have any specific plans. He told me to become a teacher. He told me he had watched me teach "School of the Boat" and that I had a knack for teaching complex things to young kids. Yea, I thought, sure. This jerk thinks I ought to be a teacher. No way. Well, 20 plus years later and guess what? I'm a teacher and I love it. I went to college, I didn't know what I wanted to do so I tried the Teacher Ed. Program and it was love at first sight. I graduated in 3 years, got hired immediately and have taught in the same school since 1979.

Mr. Moritz, if you're out there, thank you and I'm sorry I was a Butt in my short timer days. I'm really not that bad a guy. I don't know what you saw in me, but me and teacher fit like hand and glove.

To the rest of my crewmates, Hello. I have e-mailed a few of you that are on the list. If you know where others are, drop me a line. My home e-mail is Mcurtis@embarq,mail.com. My work address is Curtism@eaglepnt.k12.or.us.

Spread the word to others. All of the bad times are long forgotten and the good memories are as fresh as yesterday.

Mike Curtis (ex ETR2, SS)

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