Military Officer - March 2008 - (Page 112) encore First-Time Travelers The first time you travel overseas can bring so many new experiences. For these international travelers, mailing a letter might turn out to be one of the most exciting experiences of all. M Several days before y Navy career began with an crossing, I informed pasassignment to the Military Sea Transportation Service (now Mil- sengers we would be passing through the fictional itary Sealift Command) in San Francisco “international mail buoy” on and to the USS General Hugh H. Gaffey, a the day of the celebration. civil service-manned ship. I was the diviI further explained outgosion officer of the small military departing mail would be placed on ment aboard and assigned the collateral the buoy to await the arrival duty as special services officer. I was responsible not only for the care and comfort of the next eastbound Navy ship, which would pick it up of my division, but also for the entertainfor mailing in San Francisco. ment of the massive list of cabin-class pasThe letterboxes were stuffed sengers and the 2,500 troops aboard. with mail for days. Except for the naval personnel, most On one westbound trip, of the passengers had never been to sea after the crossing celebrations before, much less on a trip requiring at had ended, the navigator least three weeks of travel time from San called me and told me there Francisco to Yokohama, Japan. Many, however, remembered the cramped troop actually was a channel buoy adrift off the starboard side of the ship. The origins of ships that took them overseas during this buoy were unknown, but I seized the World War II and the rough seas that moment and raced for the ship’s intercom. seemed to curse their voyage with bore“Now hear this,” I exclaimed. “The indom, seasickness, and cold food. ternational mail buoy now can be seen off Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge the starboard side of the ship, for those of always marked the beginning of new you who are interested.” experiences for the passengers. The By the time the dependents and the Navy special services provided many Army personnel got to the starboard side of things to do — including supplying thouthe ship, the buoy was bobbing peacefully sands of paperback books, cards, and off in the distance about 200 yards away. games for each departure and showing I am sure there are those still convinced movies each night throughout the ship. the international mail buoy actually exists. For cabin-class passengers, games of bingo, dances, talent shows, and card tour- Many of those who made it to the starboard side still have pictures to prove it. MO naments frequently were held. Perhaps the biggest celebration for westbound passengers was crossing the interna- — John W. Hamlett is a retired Navy lieutenant tional date line for the first time. commander. He lives in Richardson, Texas. 112 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2008 ILLUSTRATION: ELWOOD SMITH
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