Reuben

Reuben on the USS NEWPORT NEWS

My longest Naval pal friend Reuben Collier.  All my other Navy friends faded away but not Reuben.  I met Reuben at HU-4 Helicopter Squadron in 1963, in Lakehurst, New Jersey.  We were in our early 20s. 

He visited me a couple of times after I was out. He was trying to decide whether to stay in the Navy after his enlistment was up.  He was raised in Louisiana. 

He stayed in and in time became a chief Warrant Officer.  He lives in Thailand and is married to a native.

He used to be restless as a young man.  But now, retired, he seems very content.