steamboateng
Posts: 354
Joined: 3/21/2010 From: somewhere in Massachusetts Status: offline
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Ahoy there Matey's and Landlubbers too, I be Steamboat, a retired Merchant Mariner; sailor by trade, pirate at heart, and landlocked pensioner in truth. From Massachusetts I hail, a nautical history behind me, and as a lad, in 1966, went to sea, as most do, following the Siren's wail and the Mermaid's tail. I plied me trade on any vessel what would have me and sailed all seas what would carry me. Starting me lifelong voyage in the Far East; Manila, Yokohama, Sasebo, Saigon, and the likes, incuding, Guam, Okinowa, and Kwajalein, and ending my journey, in 2004, at Kuwait, a sandlot of tea and trinkets, having peddled me services for over 30 years, to profiteer and country alike. Bookish I be, filling many lonesome hours with my nose into the histories of places I've been and sights I've seen; and a curiosity of the way of things about me, turned me eventually to the military plane. It wasn't such a big jump from "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War" to Avalon Hill board games. So, hooked I was, a sailor dragged on an invisible line; through histories, and battles, and politics and the such. And, so discombobulated became me mind, searching answers to the greater questions, I almost forgot the smaller ones, thus I searched for a mate what would ease my discomfoture, feeling like a cork cast upon the waves, no rudder to to steer my course. Not an easy quest, lads, to snare a lass into a sailor's life, for I wouldn't surrender it, too free I be in soul. But alas, no lass (for more than a fortnight) for many years. But, the sailor's angels were on me side, and I snared me a mate, well over 30 years past. She served me well, this sailor's wife, having put on the ways two lovely children, christened and launched with pride. So there be my tale, a simple life and a simple living; framed in a sea of uncertainty! My cup is raised (I am want to raise a cup or two, nowdays) to toast you all, soldier and sailor alike, serving now or a day gone by. Regards Steamboat
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