Chapter One

I left Rapid City, South Dakota in December of 1968. Navy boot camp was in San Diego, California. The first two weeks were a struggle, and I had to pray every night and day for strength.

It was hard for me to keep up with the rest of my company. Most of my company came from well-to-do families, and they had a good education. It was difficult to be accepted by these men. I was black with only a fifth grade education. I was also physically small. I was 5'10" and weighed about one hundred and thirty-five pounds.

The fact that I wore thick glasses did not help my case. Everyone treated me like dirt, even though I tried to make friends. I was struggling with my academic skills, and some of the physical training was difficult for me to perform. However, I worked hard, and I was determined to make something of myself. I could feel my mother's spirit around me and I knew she was there with me. We talked all the time on the telephone, and it was as if she was present and protecting me. Without her support, I would have never survived boot camp.

After boot camp, I was ordered to report to the ship U.S.S. Tuscaloosa that was in the Philippines. I was so excited about this new stage of my life. I could not wait to get on board the ship. My first week was orientation, and I was to meet the people with whom I would be working for the next two years. My impression of the crew, my superiors, and my new place of residence was positive and awesome. I was now in the Navy and I was determined to be the best cook the Navy had ever seen.

If only my mother could have seen me in my new uniform on the ship. Sh

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