https://papajoehealy.com/BLOG RSSWed, 07 Aug 2019 20:54:43 GMTWed, 07 Aug 2019 20:54:43 GMThttps://papajoehealy.com/home/japan-surrenders-part-1-of-3OLD GLORY FLIES OVER THE “LAND OF THE RISING SUN”It was 0400 hours on August 15, 1945, when I reported for my scheduled watch on the signal bridge of the U.S.S. Dayton (CL105). The watch that we relieved briefed us, making the necessary notations in the ship's log: cruising at 10 knots, 110 nautical miles southeast of Tokyo, on a heading of 270 degrees, observing radio silence. The targets for today’s air attack were airfields on Honshu. I glanced out over the ocean. I could see the destroyersMon, 24 Aug 2020 22:55:52https://papajoehealy.com/home/japan-surrenders-part-1-of-3https://papajoehealy.com/home/japan-surrenders-part-2-of-3(Continued from Part 1)NOW IN JAPANESE WATERSOn July 10 at 0345, TF 38 launched our first air attack on Japan; we were 70 miles southeast of Tokyo; our targets were airfields on the Tokyo plain. To me it was not a battle event, but more of a ‘wakeup call’. After recovering all aircraft, we headed east to refuel and resupply. (It was also ‘mail from home’ time; the supply ships transferred mail to the ships of the TG). July 13, the Dayton left its position within the BG (Battle Group).Sat, 28 Dec 2019 23:09:56https://papajoehealy.com/home/japan-surrenders-part-2-of-3https://papajoehealy.com/home/japan-surrenders-part-3-of-3Our First Japanese EncounterThat morning, we faced our first opportunity to implement our CO’s orders. When we went to the main gate and opened it, there were five Japanese boys standing there. Our briefings told us Japanese people do not shake hands; they bow. We bowed and they bowed. Then, in my very best Japanese, I said;   “Good Morning, are you well?” They started to laugh. I reasoned it was like a New Englander listening to a Southerner for the first time; it sounded funny. However,Sat, 28 Dec 2019 23:05:54https://papajoehealy.com/home/japan-surrenders-part-3-of-3https://papajoehealy.com/home/love-and-marriageLove and Marriage          Back in my High School days, boys occasionally met in the early evening on the steps of the Verona Bank.  One of the subjects always on the agenda was new girls in town. One night, the name Audrey Barton was mentioned. She had just moved into a house on Clover Lane, attended Our Lake Cathodic Church and a freshman at “The Mount” (Mount Saint Dominic Academy, a private girl’s school). There was general agreement she was “kind of cute for a girl’’. However, sheThu, 13 Feb 2025 23:51:08https://papajoehealy.com/home/love-and-marriagehttps://papajoehealy.com/home/flying tigersThe Manager                               It was in the fall of 1950 when I walked into Tigers Operations in a very happy mood. Supervising the swing shift had become a daily routine. Operations had been going smoothly.  The night shift was staffed with great people; all were well qualified to carry out their assigned functions. Flights were operating on schedule.  By midnight we could lockup the warehouse and go home. Life was good; so good that I decided to take up the game of golf.  ISat, 28 Dec 2019 23:08:09https://papajoehealy.com/home/flying tigershttps://papajoehealy.com/home/the-manager-part-2The Manager (Part 2)If You Can't Lift the Bridge, Lower the River            That axiom could be the title of the next story.  It all happened on a quiet Saturday morning while at the office.  After a very busy week, I was sitting in my office, having a cup of coffee while looking through a folder of correspondence and my ‘To Do’ list.  When I looked up, who was standing in my doorway but my Uncle Walter Marnel, who was General Traffic Manager for Curtis Wright Corporation. “This is aSat, 28 Dec 2019 22:59:35https://papajoehealy.com/home/the-manager-part-2https://papajoehealy.com/home/johannineThe Beloved DiscipleIntroduction                           In the 70’s we were introduced to Vatican II, with major changes in the Catholic Church’s teachings. I was greatly inspired by Father Sal’s conclusion that Vatican II was the Church’s 500-year plan to reunite all Christian Churches into “one communion”; cautioning that major changes may not be seen in my life time. Vatican II brought forth a clear message:  “God is Love.” Mass would now be celebrated in English as a “we”Sat, 28 Dec 2019 22:11:13https://papajoehealy.com/home/johanninehttps://papajoehealy.com/home/i-am-a-beloved-disciple-part-2The Beloved Disciple, Part 2Joseph of Arimathea, the Beloved Disciple            The Gospel verses, related Biblical notes and other resources state that Joseph was a good and a just man; a Pharisees; a believer in the “Kingdom of God”; a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin; and a highly influential man among the Jews of Jerusalem.  He was a man who had accumulated great wealth, resided in a large house that was staffed with many servants. The sources of his wealth were also revealed:Sat, 28 Dec 2019 23:10:16https://papajoehealy.com/home/i-am-a-beloved-disciple-part-2https://papajoehealy.com/home/flying-tigers-vietnamFAMILIES WERE GIVEN THREE HOURS NOTICE TO LEAVE ON A FLIGHT THAT WOULD CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER....As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of  Flying Tiger Line the world’s largest all-cargo airline, I had the direct responsibility for our operations in South Vietnam.  Since 1962, Flying Tiger Line had been operating both passenger and all-cargo aircraft, carrying troops and supplies to our forces as well as the South Vietnamese forces. After the withdrawal of AmericanThu, 13 Feb 2025 23:51:01https://papajoehealy.com/home/flying-tigers-vietnam