norman maassey
New member
In the Winter of 1979 I was stationed abroad the U.S.S. Dahlgren LG 43. We were tried in at Philly Naval Station Pa. It was 8: 00 to 8:15 in the morning and just a few degrees above O with a strong wind blowing down the river from the North. The Quarterdeck ( QED) was also on the Fan tail/ Helo deck of the Ship. The QD shack was just big enough for the Officer of Deck (OOD), Petty Officer Of Deck (POD). MASSAGER OF Watch and a Telephone to stand up in. Standing four watch in good weather was hard. Just out side the QD Shack there was a roll of Cola Machines.
Back then I did not drink coffee at all. Pepsi was my thing. There was no Dr. Pepper on the East Coast at that time. Working inside the heated spaces of the ship I never wear coat just lite thermal under my work uniform. Now Pepsi time. I knew I could work my way along the inside the ship to the closest point to the QED. Dash out, drop my quarter, push a button, grab my drink, claim a nickel and turn and run. Back inside a Heated space in what 90 Seconds flat. No Problem
The God Were Not on this Sailor side, First of all there had been a ice and snow. Jumping out of the hatch and tying to close it at the same time causes me to fell twice before I did got it closed. Almost fell two more time getting to Coke Machines,. By this tine the ODO and POD are Born looking . The ODO is the only officer on the Whole that I Can"t Get a long with ( We Hate Each Other). Now he is outside the shack chewing out. Tell me to stop F--k--g around before I hurt myself. My fingers are hurting from one of my falls I was having trouble pull coins from pocket. The coin findly went down the hole. I pushed my button. My Pepsi came out then Here came my change. All I could think of was getting back inside. That was when I hear the Second Pepsi drop. and I said to great Two for One.
As I reach down to get it I was looking OOD right in the Eyes. He ask me If had put more money in the Machine a thrid drop out. The machine give up all it had to give and was still tyring to give more, Two hours later when some one from the base got there to fix it. It was a Hour before I could con someone to go below and get me a coat That was How I became Patty Officer Of the Pepsi Watch. 32 years later still will not drinka Pepsi.
Back then I did not drink coffee at all. Pepsi was my thing. There was no Dr. Pepper on the East Coast at that time. Working inside the heated spaces of the ship I never wear coat just lite thermal under my work uniform. Now Pepsi time. I knew I could work my way along the inside the ship to the closest point to the QED. Dash out, drop my quarter, push a button, grab my drink, claim a nickel and turn and run. Back inside a Heated space in what 90 Seconds flat. No Problem
The God Were Not on this Sailor side, First of all there had been a ice and snow. Jumping out of the hatch and tying to close it at the same time causes me to fell twice before I did got it closed. Almost fell two more time getting to Coke Machines,. By this tine the ODO and POD are Born looking . The ODO is the only officer on the Whole that I Can"t Get a long with ( We Hate Each Other). Now he is outside the shack chewing out. Tell me to stop F--k--g around before I hurt myself. My fingers are hurting from one of my falls I was having trouble pull coins from pocket. The coin findly went down the hole. I pushed my button. My Pepsi came out then Here came my change. All I could think of was getting back inside. That was when I hear the Second Pepsi drop. and I said to great Two for One.
As I reach down to get it I was looking OOD right in the Eyes. He ask me If had put more money in the Machine a thrid drop out. The machine give up all it had to give and was still tyring to give more, Two hours later when some one from the base got there to fix it. It was a Hour before I could con someone to go below and get me a coat That was How I became Patty Officer Of the Pepsi Watch. 32 years later still will not drinka Pepsi.