With all of them that I served with in my 7 years on Raton, he was the most caring and fun loving "Skipper" of all. I had lunch with him twice after he retired and he was still the same and I do believe he did retire as Commander.

How we "hooked up " after he retired is another story that I will tell later. When he came aboard along with Mr Leslie,Randell, Furtaugh and a few others, they just added to the name that had been hung on us by the Squadron.

The Raton was known as the "Funny Farm " and we earned every bit of it. We on Raton were very proud of that name and we did our level best to live up to it in every port of call ( till they ask us to leave) with great pride.

Yes,I have many stories to tell of my 7 years inside a sewer pipe with 70 or 80 certified Maniacs whom I considered the very best of relatives. No one would ever believe us anyway,but I just keep smiling and remembering.

Your Shipmate

 Biff"