USS Blue Ridge in Manila

It came as a very welcome surprise to learn that my former ship, the USS Blue Ridge, would visit the port of Manila. This was formerly a routine port of call but after the diffrent political dynamics between the US and the RP, that's been not so, the last decade or so. So it was with much excitement that I looked forward to the ship;s arrival. Iwas contacted by a former shipmate on the Mobile Bay that he will be flying in to Manila to meet the ship. Jeff Yancey flew in from Japan and we were able to see one another again after almost 9 years and he was very gracious in inviting me and my family to tour onboard the ship. My daughter Clarissa was able to go on a family day cruise while we were in Japan. So it was a return to the ship after about 20 years.

Entering DC Central brought back memories of the many General Quarters I was there. The last and most memorable was during the ship's REFTRA (refresher training), when the final battle problem presented itself. The DCA was killed and I took the mic for the 1MC and declared throughout the ship that, "The DCA is dead, this is Chief Vicencio, I am now in charge." I was asked if I was related to General Alexander Haig who uttered something similar when President Reagan was shot.