INTRODUCTION
CRACKER JACKS Jack Ratliff Definition 1. Cracker Jacks: a caramel covered popcorn and peanuts confection sold in colorful boxes, often at ballparks. Definition 2. Crackerjack: A person or thing of marked excellence, e. g., a crackerjack shortstop. Definition 3. Cracker Jack: A South Georgia redneck (a “cracker”) named Jack. INTRODUCTION In recent years the writing …
JUST ARRIVED AND OUT OF SHAPE
CORONADO DAYS JUST ARRIVED AND OUT OF SHAPE When I first arrived in Coronado, I had a pretty rough time. In a moment of boredom and frustration I had applied for Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and had arrived at the NavPhib Base with my orders. As it turned out the program was probably harder for me …
NAKAMOTO
NAKAMOTO Major Nakamoto Haitani arrived late, after the first week or so of training. He just showed up one morning at muster and our lead instructor, Lieutenant Chico Waldrop, introduced us. There was a formal acknowledgement but no handshakes. As things developed, our cool relationship never got much better. Chico explained that Nakamoto was a …
MEETING WITH CHICO
MEETING WITH CHICO On the wall next to the door was a cartoon figure of a goofy-looking frog smoking a cigar and carrying a lit dynamite stick: Freddy the Frog. The faded sign underneath said Underwater Demolition Team 11 and below that, in new paint, SEAL Team One. I had just come in from surf …