It was a dark and stormy night

YM DE HA it was a dark and stormy night

HA DE YM and the hounds were howling

YM DE PO I need to use the outhouse

PO DE YM so I take the plastic tablecloth from the kitchen table

YM DE HA lights from an automobile shine through the kitchen windows

HA DE PO the dogs are silent

Thus, began another time filling, narrative endeavor of isolated, boredom enriched operators/maintainers of a LORAN chain operated in the Far East, nearly four decades ago. From the land of the morning calm to the rising sun and a little remote island forever commemorated by a photograph of Leathernecks raising Old Glory. Extreme social distancing, fellow Airmen and the highly respected Coasties , friends made, and only known by their initials. A habit, highly entrenched, as I still sign my emails by initials. Twenty-four hour shifts, every other day, for an entire year, made for inventive measures for fellowship and communication. Thus, from time to time, rambling, continuing narrative development, until finished, or duty called, or the Chain Supervisor, rang “all bells” on the teletype and told us to knock it off or face the consequence. Oh, what joy those Supervisors must have had reading over the tales their troops were recording on watch. Yea, right. But, I’d surely love to have access of those transcripts today, for they remind me of how we coped and the strength that is gained in difficulties shared.