"Service", 11 1/2" x 16 3/4", Two color lithograph with hand tint, 2020
Bruce, Navy
I was a Torpedoman onboard the USS Haddock (SSN-621) when we pulled into port in Subic Bay in the Philippines. We had planned to be in port only a few days to replenish supplies, volunteers were needed to serve at a refugee camp. So for a very selfish purpose, for extra liberty, I volunteered.
The camp was a building that was sectioned off into small cubicles. The walls were made of fabric, sheets, canvas, whatever was available. My job was to make sure each of the families had all the slippers they needed. Each cubicle had a family that had escaped, leaving everything they owned, from the war torn country of Viet Nam. They left because they knew if they stayed they were going to be killed. They were looking to live. They were some of the lucky ones. Now, they needed our help. They needed my help. They were so appreciative and let me know how much it meant to them. At the time I didn’t realize how much a pair of slippers could mean to anyone; however, after almost 45 years I have never forgotten how much it meant to them. I have never forgotten how much it meant to me.
I was a Torpedoman onboard the USS Haddock (SSN-621) when we pulled into port in Subic Bay in the Philippines. We had planned to be in port only a few days to replenish supplies, volunteers were needed to serve at a refugee camp. So for a very selfish purpose, for extra liberty, I volunteered.
The camp was a building that was sectioned off into small cubicles. The walls were made of fabric, sheets, canvas, whatever was available. My job was to make sure each of the families had all the slippers they needed. Each cubicle had a family that had escaped, leaving everything they owned, from the war torn country of Viet Nam. They left because they knew if they stayed they were going to be killed. They were looking to live. They were some of the lucky ones. Now, they needed our help. They needed my help. They were so appreciative and let me know how much it meant to them. At the time I didn’t realize how much a pair of slippers could mean to anyone; however, after almost 45 years I have never forgotten how much it meant to them. I have never forgotten how much it meant to me.