Bill Decker recalls coming aboard Raton in January 1964

Since 12-26-04

From: Bill Decker [mailto:bdecker@shentel.net]
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 9:17 AM
Subject: Fw: Just Stories

Kenny,

Thanks again for some more memories and I am passing them on. It always brings a smile when I hear another Raton memory of the past. I came aboard the Raton in January 64 while they were in Hunters Point. I reported onboard and they sent me up to the barracks. Having been a skimmer up to that point I didn't really know what to think about the barracks. I will say it was a relaxed atmosphere with free flowing beer or whatever you drank. It took me about five minutes to decide that the submarine Navy was a lot different from the one that I had just came from. We had a lot of good liberties in SanFran at the Horse and Cow which was another eyeopener.

We got a lot of comshaw work done while we were there and it was really something what you could get done for a can of coffee or a foul weather jacket. JR did quite a bit with a box of shrimp as I recall. They had a big heavy black yardworker who did  sandblasting and he became a great friend to us all. He was always happy and singing and we called him Big Daddy. That's not to confuse him with Big Daddy that we had in the crew.
 

Bill